Jacksonville teacher suspended after allegedly putting child in closet

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — An elementary school teacher has been suspended for allegedly placing a young child in a small, dark, locked closet for brief periods of time.

The Duval County Public Schools Office of Equity and Inclusion/Professional Standards investigation of Linda Haggard started in June, when a paraprofessional at Alimacani Elementary School reported “a teacher had placed a 3-4 year old, non-communicative student in a closet, and turned the lights out. The paraprofessional reported the action was done as punishment because the student wouldn’t settle down for a nap."

Early on in the investigation, the report said, Haggard admitted to occasionally putting a child in a closet, but while she was in there “cradling them” as a calming technique.

In these cases, she said she would occasionally turn out the lights, but leave the door cracked. Haggard said there were a few occasions when she would close the door on the child in question, but she denied ever locking it.

The report said the paraprofessional told investigators that she had personally witnessed Haggard using keys to lock the door, although it would only be for about 30 seconds at a time.

The paraprofessional further said she had heard Haggard threaten students about putting them in the closet, disputing Haggard’s claim that it was only a calming technique.

The child in question is “non-communicative” and therefore unable to answer questions. The report said he was diagnosed autistic the last week of school, and had discipline/behavioral problems to the degree that his mother would keep him home on days the class had special activities. He has since transferred schools “because he needs more assistance than their school can provide,” according to the report.

In July, the Florida Department of Children and Families closed its investigation with a finding of “not substantiated for injury.”

The school district investigation continued, but in August, officials were notified by a representative of the Duval Teacher’s Union that Haggard would not be making a formal statement.

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According to the report, Haggard was initially recommended for a 15-day suspension without pay. That punishment was reduced to a five-day suspension, according to the Duval School District, and the board approved that Tuesday night.

A letter of written reprimand will also be placed on her personnel file. Haggard has no prior discipline on her record.

Cox Media Group