Iowa Special Needs Teacher Fired After Reporting Alleged Student Neglect: Family Files Lawsuit

A teacher was fired after she reported an incident involving a non-verbal student with autism. Outraged, the student’s parents have filed a lawsuit against the school district in Urbandale.

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Amanda Delzell,29, worked as a special education teacher at the Webster Elementary School and was placed on paid leave last year before being fired by a 4-1 school board vote. The situation occurred when she witnessed another educator neglecting seven-year-old Keaton Petek after he repeatedly banged his head on a concrete floor, which resulted in the child bleeding. Delzell reported the incident to administrators but was told that the matter was confidential and under investigation, as reported by the Daily Mail.

Despite administrators not reporting the incident to Keaton’s parents, Cody and Paige Petek, Delzell took it upon herself to inform them. Since then, the couple have filed a civil rights complaint against the school. Surveillance footage reviewed by the parents showed the lack of intervention by Keaton’s teacher, who watched as he continued to bang his head on the floor. Paige Petek described the teacher’s response as completely lacking empathy, standing with arms crossed or hands on hips, even using her foot to move Keaton down the hallway while he was visibly distressed.

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The school’s administrators were unhappy with Delzell’s whistleblowing and placed her on leave in November. Her case was dismissed this April. In response to her termination, parents from the community were outraged, especially the Petek.

Cody Petek expressed his dismay, noting the terrifying implication that the school continues to employ the teacher who neglected his son’s cries for help, while the one who advocated for his safety was terminated. A Change.org petition calling for Delzell’s reinstatement has attracted significant support, amassing over 600 signatures.

Lori Bullock, Delzell’s attorney, has voiced disappointment in both the superintendent’s recommendation and the board’s decision, vowing to continue the fight to hold the district accountable.

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