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Mom suspects an MPS aide assaulted her child with special needs
MPS said the school’s principal made a report to the Minnesota Department of Education earlier this week.
MINNEAPOLIS — A Minneapolis mother stood in front of the press Thursday morning and said she suspected a Minneapolis Public Schools aid had hurt her autistic son. At her side was the Minnesota Parent Union.
Last Friday, Aja Cobb said she walked up to the bus her 10-year-old son was on to ask how he behaved during bus rides.
“My 10-year-old son attends Riverbend Education Center and has been diagnosed with severe autism,” said Cobb.
Cobb said she was met with a hysteric aide.
“She just started blurting out how she had to take something from him,” she said.
Cobb said she wasn’t sure what was happening but took her son off the bus.
“Once they drove off, he called out to me and pointed to a bruise on his arm,” said Cobb. “He said, Mom, and pointed. I sat him on the hallway stairs, took pictures and sent it to his teacher.”
Cobb said she filed a police report and took her child to the emergency room where they contacted CPS. She allowed her son to return to school on Monday since she was assured the aid wasn’t in. Tuesday, she walked her son to the bus.
“I discovered that the aide was on the bus,” said Cobb. “I declined to put him on the bus, and I took him to school on my own.”
Cobb said she asked school leadership to keep the aid away until there was an investigation and said she couldn’t get a guarantee from the leadership she wouldn’t be there. She filed a restraining order which was granted.
“Positions requirements are according to federal law needs to change when working with disabled youth,” she said.
In a statement, MPS said the school’s principal made a report to the Minnesota Department of Education earlier this week.
“We take these allegations seriously and are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all our students,” the statement read.
MPS did not respond to the question about cameras on the bus.
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed the lawsuit in federal court, alleging the St. Cloud Area Family YMCA subjected workers to a hostile environment.
ST. CLOUD, Minn. — A federal lawsuit filed against the YMCA in St. Cloud is accusing the organization of subjecting employees to a hostile work environment, violating their civil rights.
The suit was filed Tuesday by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission against the St. Cloud Area Family YMCA.
Since at least December 2021, the lawsuit alleges workers, some of whom were teens, were subjected to “offensive and inappropriate sexual comments about their bodies.” One worker was also repeatedly propositioned for sex, the suit claims.
The EEOC claims managers witnessed some harassment. Additionally, when a teenager reported the harassment to her supervisor and a high-level director, “that director refused to address the harassment and instead accused the teenage Aggrieved Individual of engaging in gossip.” That employee was compelled to leave her job because of “intolerable working conditions.”
The EEOC requests a jury trial, and is seeking the St. Cloud Area Family YMCA to provide compensation to aggrieved individuals.
A 17-year-old boy was arrested in connection with the shooting and there are no additional suspects, according to the police department.
NEW HOPE, Minn. — Less than a week after being shot in New Hope, a 16-year-old boy has died, according to the New Hope Police Department.
Officers from the department initially responded to the 6000 block of Quebec Avenue North for a reported shooting on the afternoon of Sept. 18.
Officials said the responding offices found the boy who was transported to the hospital.
A 17-year-old boy was arrested in connection with the shooting and there are no additional suspects, according to the department.
Whether its the Allianz Field’s new Loon sculpture or a restaurant downtown, game designers want to hear your favorite locations.
SAINT PAUL, Minn. — Don’t pass Go or collect $200… as Saint Paul is getting its own Monopoly game.
Since no one knows Saint Paul better than its residents, the game company Top Trumps is taking suggestions for locations on its website. Click here to submit your ideas.
To share more about the incoming game, Tim Barney of Top Trumps visited KARE 11 News at Noon.
The game company stated in a release that the Monopoly board will have customized squares based on Saint Paul businesses, nonprofits and landmarks. There will also be unique playing cards and Monopoly money.
Madison, Wis. is also in the running for its own Monopoly board, as Top Trumps has requested suggestions for the city on its website.
“Saint Paul is such a unique community with rich history. We aim to ensure that MONOPOLY: Saint Paul Edition is an accurate portrayal of what Saint Paul locals and tourists love about this charming city,” said Barney in a statement. “We want to hear their favorite restaurants, shops, sports teams, schools, festivals, activities, nonprofits, and more.”
