Johnston County Mother Claims Son Was Placed In Trash Can At School

South Smithfield Primary School

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Kimberly Stancil's son, Kaleel, has Down's Syndrome. She admits her 5-year-old son can be rambunctious, but nothing could prepare her for what she said she saw when she arrived at South Smithfield primary school on April 24 to pick him up.

"I was standing at the door to see what was going on. I saw him standing in a big trash can," she said.

Stancil reported the incident to police and the school board. She said the principal apologized and explained what happened.

"He turned a chair over, so that is why they put him in the trash can," Stancil said.

School officials are looking into the incident.

"At this point, we are investigating the situation. We're always concerned anytime allegations are made about teachers and their interaction with students," Johnston County school spokeswoman Crystal Roberts said.

Stancil said she feels that Kaleel is safer now that she has come forward, but she said it is an incident she will never forget.

"Sometimes I have nightmares that he's in the classroom and they have him in that big trash can," Stancil said. "He's trying to get out. He can't talk to me and tell me about it and he's crying, trying to get out, but he can't."

Stancil said her 7-year-old son who goes to the same school claims he was also put in a trash can. The school board and police are investigating the incident. Thirty students with special needs attend South Smithfield Primary School.