Mar 19, 2009 6:37 am US/Eastern
Police Charge Conn. Teacher After Garbage Incident
Anne O'Donnell Outrages Many Parents After Allegedly "Educating" 5-Year-Old On Why Wasting Food Is Wrong
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (CBS) ―
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The Park City Magnet School in Bridgeport, Conn.
CBS
A kindergarten teacher has been arrested for allegedly forcing a 5-year-old boy to pull a banana from a garbage can and eat it.
Latoya McLean and Anthony Nelson said what happened to their son at Park City Magnet School last Thursday is an outrage.
"Once it's in there, it's garbage. Would you eat from the garbage? Would you let your child eat from the garbage?" McLean said.
"It's a sickening situation," Nelson added.
According to Bridgeport police, kindergarten teacher Anne O'Donnell saw the student throw away an unpeeled banana. She retrieved it from the garbage and demanded he peel it and eat it.
Later that night the boy told his parents what happened.
"I was hysterical. I was crying. I would never think to do that to any child. No one should have to endure that. It's garbage. It's garbage," McLean said.
The parents called the Bridgeport Police Department. Officers responded and charged O'Donnell with risk of injury to a minor.
"She was confronted by an officer when they went to the scene. She expressed remorse over the incident, and admitted to it," said Keith Bryant of the Bridgeport PD.
Many parents agree the teacher acted wrongly.
"If it went in the garbage it should have stayed in the garbage. The kid shouldn't have ate it. It's a hygiene issue right there," said parent Alberto Rios.
But some who know O'Donnell were passionate in her defense.
"She's real good with the kids, a lovely person. I just want to hug her and tell her someone cares and loves her. I'm sure it wasn't done intentionally," said Marie Wiggins.
The parents said the school has assigned the boy to another classroom.
"Something could have happened. He could have caught a serious bacterial infection. He is sick, by the way. He missed his first day of school Monday," McLean said.
The students in this teacher's class will have a substitute the rest of the week. O'Donnell has taken medical leave. She's due to answer this charge in court on Monday.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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