12-year-old allegedly attacked by special-ed teacher at Seaford Middle School

A middle school controversy is going viral as a family comes forward with disturbing allegations. 

A 12-year-old boy and his mother are saying a Seaford teacher is responsible for the bruises and marks now left on his arm, and not only are they seeking justice, they are trying to raise awareness. 

What makes this story even more troubling is that 12-year-old Landen Hess suffers from autism and anxiety, but that's not the only reason it's raising eyebrows.

47ABC also learned that the teacher the family claims is responsible was a member of the special education staff, who allegedly took Landen's episode and made it worse. 

Melissa Bisram, Landen Hess' mother, said, "About 12:20 on Tuesday the 10th, I got a hysterical call from my son. I could barely understand what he was saying he was so upset and all I got out of him basically the few words I did understand were his teacher hurt him."

Melissa Bisram said hearing the desperation in her youngest child's voice on that phone call was her worst nightmare.

Landen Hess allegedly got into an altercation with his special ed teacher at Seaford Middle School when he attempted to leave the classroom as he began to have a meltdown.

Corporal Gary Fournier with Delaware State Police said, "What we can tell you is there was a 12-year-old that became disorderly in the classroom filled with several other students and two teachers and this student had to be physically restrained in order to protect the other students from being harmed."

Bisram said she feels as though the actions taken by one of the teachers involved was too extreme. 

Bisram said, "Even if he was being restrained because he was being violent, restrain does not mean grabbing a child up by their arms and carrying them around and slinging him around the room. That is not what restraint is supposed to be especially for a child that has a disability."

In Landen Hess' IEP, which stands for Individualized Education Program, it states that he may leave the classroom and go to his school's main office whenever he feels necessary. The IEP called it a "break card."

Landen's mother said, however, the special ed teacher involved would not allow Landen to use his break card. "He was just trying to do what he knew he was supposed to do to calm himself in the situation in the moment and the teacher who is supposed to support him and follow that IEP to the letter, refused that," Bisram said.

Now Landen is at home recovering from what his mother says was a traumatic experience.

Bisram said, "He's having problems sleeping, he's having problems eating, he's having nightmares. He's had to see his counselor to talk to her about the situation."

For Melissa and Landen, this isn't personal. It's not about publicity or money, it's about justice and education, helping the community grow and learn, so that other's like Landen can feel safe in school. 

Bisram said, "All I want is for punishment for the teacher that hurt my child and to make sure that no other child is ever hurt."

47ABC reached out to the school today and they say an investigation into the incident is ongoing, but that they couldn't release any details yet.

They also said that once the investigation is complete, they are confident the right decision will be made.

As for Landen's mother, she said she is not so sure.

She is currently in contact with legal aid, she's in touch with an attorney, she has spoken to the school board, and she is waiting on a formal emergency IEP meeting.

Landen Hess has since been pulled out of Seaford Middle School by his mother. The family is now looking for a new school for Landen.

Melissa Bisram says she is scheduled to have a meeting with the Seaford Middle School's Superintendent on Tuesday.

We will keep you updated on what happens and what actions the school decides to take.