State agrees to settle special needs students' lawsuit

The state has agreed to settle a lawsuit alleging mistreatment of special education students at a Mililani school, according to court documents obtained by Hawaii News Now.

The parents of an autistic girl who was held down by a teacher's aide at Kipapa Elementary School, along with the parents of two others, filed the lawsuit, claiming children were routinely abused by staffers.

The lawsuit also alleged that the aides were not properly trained to assist special needs students.

Disturbing cell phone video from a concerned aide showed another student who was forced to eat her own vomit.

An administrative judge later found that the complaints from parents were well-founded, and that the state Department of Education conducted a poor investigation.

The terms of the settlement are undisclosed.