Family of 12-year-old disabled child files claim against Manteca Unified, county office

STOCKTON -- The family of a 12-year-old disabled student have filed claims against the Manteca Unified School District and San Joaquin County Board of Education alleging the child suffered serious injuries after being neglected by a teacher's aide.

According to one the family's attorney Paul Hoybjerg, the student is confined to a wheelchair due to being blind and diagnosed with cerebral palsy, hydrocephalus and epilepsy.

The claim alleges that on May 28, the child was being transported to a room for physical education at by her teacher's aide at Stella Brockman Elementary School in Manteca. As the room was locked, the aide is said to have left the girl unattended while looking for a key in a different room, according to the claim.

While left unattended, the child's wheelchair rolled down a ramp, tipped over and resulted in hitting her head against the ground, said Hoybjerg.

As a result of the fall, the girl sustained serious injuries and permanent scarring that requiring stitches to her head.

"We hope to obtain justice on their behalf and make sure no other family has to go through the same heartache," Hoybjerg said in a statement.

Officials from the San Joaquin County Office of Education and Manteca Unified did not immediately respond for comment.

Come back to recordnet.com for more updates and read Friday's Record for more on this story from Staff Writer Nicholas Filipas.

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