Second family alleges child abuse at special needs school in California

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Friday, January 8, 2016
Second allegation of child abuse surfaces at California special needs school
A family says their special needs student developed bruises while at Tobinworld School in Antioch, California.

ANTIOCH, CA (KTRK) -- A second family has come forward with allegations of child abuse after a California school employee was caught on camera allegedly beating a special needs student.

Nagina Azizi says she was speechless when she saw the bruises on her brother's back in 2013, bruises she says he sustained while attending Tobinworld School for Special Education in Antioch.

Lina Azizi, the child's mother, says the school denies he was injured there.

"Yes, they said it didn't happen at school," Lina Azizi says.

However, the recent arrest of a Tobinworld school employee on child abuse charges has the family calling for immediate changes at the special education school.

VIDEO: Teacher's aide accused of beating 9-year-old special needs student

"Bring good people, people who are trust worthy," says Nagina Azizi. "Maybe they should look in their background and make it better because I don't want schools shut down for autism because it is really hard out there."

Lina Azizi says she hopes this latest incident will give other parents at Tobinworld the courage to come forward

"And i want other parents to speak up too on behalf of autistic kids," she says.

In the statement from the school that was released Thursday, the executive director says "We are horrified by the recent event at our Tobinworld II campus and will not tolerate the mistreatment or abuse of any child. The care, integrity and specialized education of Tobinworld students are our highest priorities and responsibilities."