A mother in Gonzales, Louisiana, is demanding accountability after a photograph emerged showing her 12-year-old non-verbal, autistic son inside a classroom cabinet at Gonzales Middle School. The incident has sparked an ongoing investigation by Ascension Parish Schools and has led to the resignation of a teacher and the retirement of the school's principal.
Sydney Alexander, the boy's mother, has since removed her children from the school and hired an attorney. She is now speaking out, seeking transparency and answers about the circumstances that led to the disturbing image, which she says was provided by a former school employee.
Key Takeaways
- A photograph shows a 12-year-old non-verbal student with autism inside a cabinet at Gonzales Middle School.
- The student's mother, Sydney Alexander, has hired an attorney and is demanding a full investigation.
- A teacher has resigned and the school principal has retired following the incident.
- Crucial surveillance footage from the day of the incident was reportedly erased before it could be reviewed.
A Disturbing Photograph Surfaces
The controversy began when a photograph of Jaelon Alexander, a 12-year-old student who is non-verbal, was circulated. The image depicts the child inside an open cabinet within a classroom at his school. According to his mother, the photo was sent to her by a paraprofessional who was not present in the classroom that day but was concerned about the situation. That employee no longer works for the school district.
Sydney Alexander stated that the paraprofessional alleged her son was placed in the cabinet by a teacher. This claim is now at the center of the family's quest for information, though school officials have not publicly confirmed the details of the incident.
"I want all the answers to come out," Alexander said in a recent statement. "I need everything to come out. I need video footage to come out. I need teachers to take accountability."
A Change in Behavior
Prior to seeing the photograph, Sydney Alexander had already grown concerned about her children's well-being at the school. She noted a negative change in their behavior during the school year, which prompted her to request a review of classroom video footage. That request was formally denied in December by the Ascension Parish Schools Director of Special Education, according to a letter the family provided.
School Response and Staff Departures
In response to the incident, Ascension Parish Schools confirmed it launched an immediate investigation. In a public statement, the district affirmed its commitment to student safety but cited personnel and student privacy laws that prevent the disclosure of specific details.
The district maintains it has a zero-tolerance policy for the mistreatment of any child. However, the situation has been complicated by significant staff changes at Gonzales Middle School. Sources familiar with the situation confirmed that the teacher who was in the classroom when the incident occurred has since resigned. Additionally, the school's longtime principal has retired.
For Alexander and her attorney, these departures are not a substitute for a full accounting of what happened. They argue that the community's respect for the individuals involved should not overshadow the need for a thorough and transparent investigation.
"We know that this principal was well-liked, well-respected, but it’s one of those things where the facts are not sympathetic to feelings," said Jamar Lanier Ennis, the attorney representing both Alexander and the paraprofessional who reported the incident.
The Crucial Missing Evidence
A critical element in the investigation is the absence of surveillance video from the day of the incident. According to the family's attorney, the issue was first brought to the attention of school administrators in November. However, the relevant footage was never downloaded or preserved.
30-Day Retention Policy
Ascension Parish Schools reportedly only keeps surveillance footage for 30 days. By the time the photograph surfaced on social media and the investigation gained wider attention, the window to retrieve the original video had closed, and the footage had been erased.
This lack of video evidence makes it difficult to independently verify the sequence of events. Ennis argues that regardless of how the child ended up in the cabinet, the school's protocol should have been clear.
"If the teacher reasonably believed that child put himself in a cabinet, whether or not he put him there, the first thing he should have did was call the parent, call a meeting," Ennis explained. "That didn’t happen."
A Mother's Fight for Vulnerable Children
Sydney Alexander has been thrust into the role of an advocate, not just for her own son but for all children who cannot speak for themselves. She believes her son, Jaelon, did not crawl into the cabinet on his own and is determined to uncover the truth.
She emphasizes the responsibility that adults have to protect children, especially those with special needs who rely entirely on the care and integrity of their educators and guardians. Her public statements reflect a deep commitment to ensuring this incident leads to greater awareness and stronger safeguards.
"I just want to say that everyone, especially these children, we are their voice. We are their protection," Alexander stated. "And if we don’t stand up for them, of course, nobody else will."
The investigation by Ascension Parish Schools remains ongoing. The teacher involved declined to comment on the matter through representatives, and the former principal could not be reached for comment. As the community waits for official findings, a family continues its search for answers and accountability.