Schools

DCF, police, and the school district are investigating the incident.

A mother of a 4-year-old son with autism claims a Boston Public School teacher assaulted her son, leaving bruises on his back and hurting his fingers. 

Ruth Peguero told NBC 10 Boston that she wants to see the teacher face charges and gain assurance that the teacher will never work in Boston Public Schools again. 

According to a police report obtained by Boston.com, Peguero received a call from the Department of Children and Families on Sept. 25. She said DCF informed her that on Sept. 23, while her son was at Joseph Lee K-8 School in Dorchester, a teacher grabbed his arms and slammed him to the floor.

Her son’s legs and fingers were either stepped on or pinched, Peguero told police. Peguero also reported that her son has a bruise on his back. 

Police redacted the teacher’s name from the report. 

The Boston Police report that they are actively investigating this incident and have not made any arrests or filed charges since Wednesday morning.

The DCF said it received the report and is investigating the incident. Due to state and federal privacy requirements, no further information is available. 

In a statement provided to NBC 10 Boston, Boston Public Schools said they are working closely with authorities and will “take appropriate action.”

“These allegations are deeply disturbing, and as soon as we became aware of the situation, we followed the appropriate reporting guidelines internally and with all appropriate agencies,” the Boston Public Schools said in the statement. 

In the statement, the district staff said they are in communication with the student’s family and offering support and assurance that the district will investigate the matter.

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu also spoke to NBC 10 News on the allegations. 

“We want every child, every family to know that their young people are loved as their own in our schools,” Wu said. “That should be the standard.”