A Long Island school is under fire for reportedly taking no action while a former teacher “tormented” special needs second graders, as reported by the NY Post.  

Former Cornwall School teacher, John O’Dwyer, is accused of various forms of abuse. These include dropping textbooks on kid’s heads, as detailed in a recent legal filing and echoed by upset parents. The filing is seeking $20 million in damages.

Details of O’Dwyer’s Alleged Abuse

O’Dwyer is accused of mistreating one frightened boy by dragging him across the classroom and even locking him in a dark closet while he cried out for help.

The claim, which serves as a precursor to a civil lawsuit against a municipal agency, asserts that the school not only “failed to prevent” O’Dwyer’s misconduct but was also made aware of the abuse and “did nothing about it.” In the first of several claims being filed against the West Hempstead Union Free School District and Cornwall School, one family alleges that O’Dwyer specifically targeted their son for “humiliating abuse,” inflicting both physical and mental “torment” that included kicking and punching him. 

“We will uncover the full truth of what happened — and expose how the West Hempstead Union Free School District allowed this cruelty to continue for so long,” said Nathan Werksman, a partner at Merson Law, PLLC.

The mother who submitted the notice of claim stated that her son, who has special needs, informed her that the alleged abuse occurred frequently throughout the 2023-2024 school year. An assistant teacher was “present for much of the abuse” and the school “ignored complaints about O’Dwyer’s behavior,” according to the claim.

According to the father of the victim, several other families are also preparing to take legal action. The father, who requested to remain anonymous, reported that O’Dwyer would take a textbook—”a heavy, old-fashioned textbook”—and throw or drop it onto the students’ heads.

#Clique, what are your thoughts?