Teacher made special-needs students ingest hand sanitizer, Nebraska parent says
A special education teacher accused of inflicting torture on several children is now the subject of a police investigation, according to Nebraska news reports.
The alleged abuse of the three students, ages 5 and 6, occurred from August 2024 to February 2025 at Beattie Elementary School, KOLN reported, citing a Lincoln Police Department public incident report.
A parent of one of the children, who said her son is autistic and nonverbal, brought the allegations to light in a March 3 Facebook post. She said her child’s special education teacher was “torturing” the children in her care.
“Forcing them to eat hand sanitizer because they are either spitting or have excessive saliva, putting bleach on their hands to keep them from putting their fingers/hands in their mouth, & pulling them by their ears when they wouldn’t listen or follow directions,” the parent said in her post.
McClatchy News is not naming the teacher, who has not been charged as of March 6.
In a statement to news outlets, including KFXL, Lincoln Public Schools said the worker was “immediately removed from the classroom.” The parent said the teacher resigned Feb. 28.
Officers are investigating the allegations, KLKN reported, and the school district said it is working alongside the department.
“Targeting kids that can’t even advocate for themselves or any child period is insane,” the parent said. “School is supposed to be a safe place for them. I’ve had so many emotions and my heart truly hurts for my son and the other two kids who fell victim to this abuse as well!”
The district reportedly notified families at the school of the investigation.
“We value each and every child that walks through our doors. At Beattie and Lincoln Public Schools we will not tolerate any abuse or mishandling of students,” the district said, according to KLKN.
This story was originally published March 6, 2025 at 8:07 AM with the headline "Teacher made special-needs students ingest hand sanitizer, Nebraska parent says."