HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn. – A Sumner County special education teacher is facing criminal charges after several families have accused her of child abuse.

Parents of several children with disabilities like autism and Downs Syndrome have filed a lawsuit against 47-year-old Donna Weidenbenner and the Sumner County Board of Education.

The lawsuits allege the abuse happened last year at Station Camp Elementary School in Hendersonville.

“In speaking with former employees of the school system we feel very confident in that what we’ve gathered just so far will corroborate the allegations that we’ve made in the complaint,” said attorney Andy Allman.

Weidenbenner has been accused of force-feeding children to the point of vomiting; forcefully shoving them into furniture; and kicking and throwing them to the point they would cry and become non-responsive and despondent.

“The children right now, their families are having them see a doctor just to try and get a grip on what’s happened and to get some type of guidance about what to expect in the future,” said Allman.

Other allegations include standing on children to keep them from getting up during naps, using abusive words and actions in the classroom, and restraining children on the floor with weighted blankets that cover their faces and restrict their breathing.

The teacher has been indicted by a Sumner County grand jury on three counts of child abuse. She heads to court next Tuesday.

The board of education suspended Weidenbenner without pay pending the outcome of the investigation and trial.

Six families have filed suits, and in each case they accuse the Sumner County Board of Education and the teacher of violating their child’s civil rights.”

Weidenbenner was unavailable for comment, although a man at the door said she does want to tell her side of the story.

The families are asking for unspecified damages from both Weidenbenner and the school board.

“We want the system changed. We don’t want this happening in the future,” said Allman.

The school district is named in the suit for not properly training and monitoring teachers.

The suit claims school officials failed to investigate complaints made in prior years against Weidenbenner. One of those complaints came from an assistant teacher.

Weidenbenner has been employed by Sumner County Schools since 1991. The current suspension is the only disciplinary action on her record.

SOURCE:    http://www.newschannel5.com/Global/story.asp?S=11375807