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Child Locked in Quiet Room for 30 Minutes
9 Apr
Summary
- Five-year-old with autism left alone in quiet room.
- School allegedly held the door shut for nearly 30 minutes.
- Parents demand answers and a review of the incident.
A family in Gloucester, Massachusetts, is seeking accountability from the local school district after their five-year-old son, Jojo, who has autism and multiple disabilities, was allegedly confined in a small, windowless quiet room for nearly 30 minutes on February 9. The room, described as an empty closet, lacked comfort items. His parents, who had been denied a one-on-one aide request, only learned of the incident through school records.
School notes indicate Jojo was placed in isolation on other occasions, sometimes without his glasses. A child psychologist called the practice "absolutely cruel" and inappropriate except in extreme emergencies. The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) noted that new regulations on time-out practices will take effect in August 2026, prohibiting seclusion except in emergencies.
The Gloucester public school district acknowledged the seriousness of time-out and physical restraint as last resorts, stating staff are trained to adhere to state law. They confirmed an internal investigation is underway and they are committed to student safety. Jojo is currently on medical leave, and his family has filed a complaint with DESE.
