It's the law: School officials and hospital personnel must report child abuse immediately.
Ariel Brandon was slapped by her teacher.
On paper, Tucson Unified School District's policy reflects that, but it took five days for a family to find out their mentally and physically disabled 7-year-old had been slapped by a teacher.
Sue Wybraniec, who heads the Human Resource Department for TUSD, says, "We have directed our employees to immediately report it to 911, CPS and site principal as soon as that happens the parents should be notiifed."
But that didn't happen at Bloom Elementary last fall. That's where Ariel Brandon was slapped by her then teacher, Jan Wheeler.
It was five days before police were called.
An officer responded on Monday Oct. 31, 2005.
The police report says the principal was calling about an incident that occurred at her school on Wednesday, October 26th.
Ariel Brandon's family also didn't find out about the incident till the police were called.
The report states that a classroom aide came to the principal on Thursday 10/28.05 and told her there had been an incident in the classrooom.
Police should have been notified that day.
TUSD had the teacher placed on assignment at her home until they completed their investigation.
Debra Brandon is Ariel's grandmother. The child lives with her as does the mother.
Brandon says, "Ariel had to be exposed to that teacher for two more days and a weekend past and the we were told."
So we asked the head of the Human Resources what the procedures were and, while she couldn't comment specifically on this case, she spoke in general terms.
News 4: "Is it customary for parents or guradians to be notified days after the incident has happened?"
Sue Wybraniec: "We train our employees to report child abuse immediately upon seeing that a child has been abused. "
News 4: "What if it doesn't happens?"
Wybraniec: "We look at violations of policy, possible areas for discipline for the people who did not report it."
TUSD officials say that there was a follow-up on the case and the administrators at Bloom Elementary reviewed the policy with its staff, but that was after the fact.
What took school officials so long to report child abuse?
Ariel Brandon was slapped by her teacher.
On paper, Tucson Unified School District's policy reflects that, but it took five days for a family to find out their mentally and physically disabled 7-year-old had been slapped by a teacher.
Sue Wybraniec, who heads the Human Resource Department for TUSD, says, "We have directed our employees to immediately report it to 911, CPS and site principal as soon as that happens the parents should be notiifed."
But that didn't happen at Bloom Elementary last fall. That's where Ariel Brandon was slapped by her then teacher, Jan Wheeler.
It was five days before police were called.
An officer responded on Monday Oct. 31, 2005.
The police report says the principal was calling about an incident that occurred at her school on Wednesday, October 26th.
Ariel Brandon's family also didn't find out about the incident till the police were called.
The report states that a classroom aide came to the principal on Thursday 10/28.05 and told her there had been an incident in the classrooom.
Police should have been notified that day.
TUSD had the teacher placed on assignment at her home until they completed their investigation.
Debra Brandon is Ariel's grandmother. The child lives with her as does the mother.
Brandon says, "Ariel had to be exposed to that teacher for two more days and a weekend past and the we were told."
So we asked the head of the Human Resources what the procedures were and, while she couldn't comment specifically on this case, she spoke in general terms.
News 4: "Is it customary for parents or guradians to be notified days after the incident has happened?"
Sue Wybraniec: "We train our employees to report child abuse immediately upon seeing that a child has been abused. "
News 4: "What if it doesn't happens?"
Wybraniec: "We look at violations of policy, possible areas for discipline for the people who did not report it."
TUSD officials say that there was a follow-up on the case and the administrators at Bloom Elementary reviewed the policy with its staff, but that was after the fact.
What took school officials so long to report child abuse?
This is such a sad situation that happened to this adorable little girl. We have to wonder why the school staff took so long to report this. This young girl is so vulnerable, plus to have to go through this traumatic experience. I hope this teacher that took it upon herself to slap this poor little girl, will be properly disciplined!!
