Brownsburg, Indiana (April 26, 2023)
At a Glance:
5 charged after Brownsburg special education student told to eat his own vomit.
The story continues:
On April 20th, 2023, Brownsburg Police Detectives presented the results of its investigation involving several Brownsburg Community School Corporation employees, and one third-party independent contractor from Kids Count (proper spelling is “K1ds Count Therapy, LLC”) to the Hendricks County Prosecutor’s Office (HCPO). These individuals were involved in the mistreatment, and/or failed to report the mistreatment, of a 7-year-old male Brown Elementary student who is in the Life Skills program.
The following charges filed by the Hendricks County Prosecutor yesterday afternoon:
Brown Elementary Life Skills Instructional Aid Debra Kanipe, 63 years of age, was charged with Neglect of a Dependent as a Level 6 felony, and Failure to Report, a Class B Misdemeanor (pictured below left).
Brown Elementary Life Skills Teacher Sara Seymour, 27 years of age, was charged with Neglect of a Dependent as a Level 6 felony, and Failure to Report, a Class B Misdemeanor (pictured below right).
Debra Kanipe (left) and Sarah Seymour (right)
The following people were also charged:
Brown Elementary Life Skills Teacher Julie Taylor, 48 years old, was charged with Failure to Report, a Class B Misdemeanor.
Brown Elementary Life Skills Instructional Aid Kristen Mitchell, 38 years of age, was charged with Failure to Report, a Class B Misdemeanor.
Kids Count Registered Behavioral Technician Megan King, 24 years of age, was charged with Failure to Report, a Class B Misdemeanor.
Background and Brief Summary of the Investigation:
Brownsburg Police Department (BPD) Investigations Unit was contacted by Brownsburg Community School Police on Wednesday, April 12th, in the late evening hours, regarding a report that a student had been mistreated by Seymour and Kanipe during lunch at Brown Elementary in February 2023. The report alleged that 4 other individuals were potentially involved in varying degrees. BPD requested and was granted a search warrant for the video of the incident was later secured as evidence by the BPD Detectives.
The following morning (April 13th, 2023), prior to any of the employees being able to have further contact with any students, Brownsburg Community School Corporation (BCSC) placed all individuals on administrative leave pending an investigation. One of the individuals who is potentially involved in this investigation is employed by a third party contractor, Kids Count, and they were contacted by BCSC that same morning and advised that they were not allowed on BCSC property pending the outcome of the investigation.
Ultimately, the termination process for Seymour and Kanipe was initiated while the others remain on administrative leave pending the BCSC School Board rulings. The Kids Count employee remains unable to be on BCSC property.
The BCSC, the third party contractor, Kids Count, and all involved individuals have been cooperative during the course of this investigation.
As indicated in our probable cause affidavit, through the course of various interviews, and the review of other evidence, Seymour is said to have allegedly advised the victim that if he vomited, he would be required to eat what he threw up. Taylor was present and provided a tray for the child to vomit on. After the victim did indeed vomit, Kanipe provided the spoon that the child was compelled to use to consume some of his vomit. Both Seymour and Kanipe stood at each side of the child while he consumed a portion of the vomit. Mitchell and King were present and witnessed the incident.
All parties are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Brownsburg Community School Corporation released a message to parents:
” On Monday, April 17, we shared with Brown Elementary families and staff that BCSC had moved forward with termination for two staff members after learning of the mistreatment of a life skills student in their care at lunch. BCSC has been notified that these two staff members will be charged by the Hendricks County Prosecutor. Two other staff members are also being charged for their roles in failing to report the incident. More details are forthcoming from the Brownsburg Police Department (BPD).
As BPD releases more information about this incident, please know that the BCSC family will continue to be steadfast in our commitment to Brownsburg students, their safety, and their well-being. This horrendous action is not in line with the character of staff and teachers at Brownsburg Schools. The shocking actions of a few does not define the care and concern that Brownsburg teachers and staff show every day.”
Additional Information Released by the Brownsburg Police Department:
Contents of Video:
As stated in our probable cause affidavit, at the time of the incident, the victim is seated at a table in the lunchroom at Brown Elementary eating his lunch, and at some point, stands up and appears to be gagging on his food. The child then appears to be instructed to sit down by Seymour. The child then vomits his stomach contents into a tray provided by Taylor and onto the table in front of him while Seymour stands to his left and Kanipe stands to his right. The victim was then provided a spoon by Kanipe and was compelled to eat some of his vomit. The child is then required to clean up the remainder of the vomit with paper towels. Mitchell and King are present as witnesses.
Content via:
Brownsburg Police Department
Hendricks County Sheriff
The Editor
