A Chickasha mother, April Sales, is speaking out and demanding accountability after she claims her non-verbal autistic son was hurt by a teacher at school. The incident, which occurred in February, has led to an ongoing investigation by the Grady County Sheriff’s Office, and has sparked emotional pleas for justice from Sales, who is advocating for her 8-year-old son, Huntley.
Emotional Plea to School Board
During a Chickasha School Board meeting on March 8, April Sales made an emotional plea, urging the board to take action regarding the incident. She spoke passionately about her son’s trauma, saying, “I’m here tonight as a voice for my son Huntley.”
Sales explained that her son, who has autism and is non-verbal, has been left deeply traumatized by the alleged actions of a teacher. “I’ve always fought for him to have as normal of a life as he could have,” she said, emphasizing how the incident has affected their lives.
Allegations of Classroom Incident
According to Sales, she was informed by a school employee that her son was hurt by a teacher in February. She claims that an employee witnessed the teacher on top of Huntley while he was gasping for air. This incident, if true, has left her son in a state of fear and distrust, preventing him from returning to school.
Since the reported incident, Sales has quit her job to care for Huntley full-time. She said, “There is a little boy that has lost his trust in the school system, and that’s not going to be fixed overnight.”
School Board Response and Investigation
At the March 8th meeting, the Chickasha School Board confirmed that it is moving forward with a hearing in the coming weeks to address the matter. A board member mentioned, “We really have to respect the right of due process,” indicating that the school is following the necessary protocols before any conclusions are made.
The Grady County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident, though no charges have been filed as of yet. The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have not provided further details on the progress of the case.
Emotional Toll on the Family
April Sales spoke about the lasting emotional toll this incident has had on her son. “To this day, I can’t drive by the school. If I turn down a certain road that he thinks leads to the school, he has a meltdown,” she said. The emotional trauma that Huntley has endured highlights the long-term impact of this alleged event on both him and his family.
As the investigation continues, Sales is taking steps to raise awareness and support her family. She has begun selling shirts with the word “advocate” on them, with proceeds going to support her family and to further raise awareness of the situation. Sales is using her platform to become a voice for her son and other children facing similar challenges. “I’m going to be the voice for my child and for every child like them,” she said.
What’s Next
The Chickasha School Board has yet to provide a detailed public comment on the situation, but News 9 has reached out to both the board president and the district superintendent for further information. In a statement, the district shared, “Please know that Chickasha Public Schools is committed to the safety of every student in our schools, and that commitment guides every decision we make.
The district is taking appropriate employment action and is following established due process procedures.” As the investigation continues, both the school district and local law enforcement will work to determine the facts surrounding the incident and take the appropriate action.
