Five staff members charged after student with special education needs was told to eat his own vomit

Five staff members were charged with neglect or failure to report after a seven-year-old student with special education needs was told he needed to eat his vomit. 

Teacher Sara Seymour, 27, and instructional aide Debra Kanipe, 63, were charged with neglect over the horrifying incident at Brown Elementary School in Brownsburg, Indianapolis, in February. 

Additionally, teacher Julie Taylor, 48, instructional aide Kristen Mitchell, 38, and behavioural technician Megan King, 24, were charged with failure to report. 

‘Seymour is said to have allegedly advised the victim that if he vomited, he would be required to eat what he threw up. Taylor was present and provided a tray for the child to vomit on,’ the Brownsburg Police Department said in a statement.

‘After the victim did indeed vomit, Kanipe provided the spoon that the child was compelled to use to consume some of his vomit. 

Teacher Sara Seymour, 27, and instructional aide Debra Kanipe, 63, were charged with neglect over the horrifying incident at Brown Elementary School (pictured) in Brownsburg, Indianapolis, in February

‘Both Seymour and Kanipe stood at each side of the child while he consumed a portion of the vomit. Mitchell and King were present and witnessed the incident.’

Brownsburg Community School reportedly learned about the shocking incident on April 12 and contacted the police, who said they obtained a video of the incident.

The determination process for Seymour and Kanipe has been initiated, while Taylor and Mitchell have been placed on administrative leave. 

King, who is employed by a third party contractor, has been banned from being on school property pending the outcome of the investigation.