Autistic Spectrum Digest (Autism) Issue 14, December 2014 | Page 9

Disturbing  Trend  of  Abuse  and  Murder   Rates   of   Restraint,   Seclusion   Remain   Constant,   Despite   Policy   Changes     Mother   who   threw   her   young   son   with   au7sm   from   Yaquina   Bay   Bridge  faced  with  murder  charge       A   study   from   the   University   of   New   Hampshire   found   that   the   rate   of   restraint   and   seclusion   of   students   with   disabili7es  in  schools  remained  constant,   in   spite   of   new   policies   in   many   states.   The   study   found   that   three-­‐quarters   of   students   who   were   restrained   and   58%   of  students  placed  in  isola7on  had  been   diagnosed  with  a  disability.     On     Monday   Nov.   3,   Jillian   Meredeth   McCabe   admiged   to   throwing   her   son,   London   McCabe,   aged   6   from   Yaquina   Bay   Bridge.     Her   son   had   au7sm.   His   body  was  found  later  on  that  evening  at   10.30  pm  near  the  Embarcadero  Resort.   G i g i   J o r d a n   c o n v i c t e d   o f   manslaughter   for   killing   au7s7c   son   with  lethal  drug  dose     The   New   York   Times   reported   that   the   jury   residing   over   this   case   have   now   found   Gigi   Jordan   guilty   of   manslaughter   and   have   rejected   the   prosecu7on’s   call   for   a   murder   charge   to   be   given.   Lawyers   however  state  that  she  is  going  to  appeal   this  verdict.     Gigi   Jordan   when   sentenced   will   face   five   to   25   years   in   prison.   She   maintained   during  the  trial  that  the  killing  was  an  act   of  mercy.   UPDATE   -­‐     Ice   Bucket   Challenge   AXack     Three  teenagers  have  been  charged  in  a   juvenile   court   aQer   admiAng   that   they   dumped   a   bucket   containing   urine,   spit   and  faeces  onto  the  teenager.     Agorneys   represen7ng   the   teenagers   apologized   on   their   behalf.   The   punishment  that  will  be  given  out  is  not   yet  known  as  the  proba7on  department   need  to  prepare  a  presentencing  report.     Urbandale,   Iowa   —   A   group   home   originally  intended  to  care  for  adolescents   with  special  needs  was  shut  down  aQer  its   residents  were  reportedly  sexually  abused   and   mis-­‐medicated.   Joe   Buerckley,   a   16-­‐ year-­‐old   who   went   through   a   rough   childhood  was  one  of  the  residen