Indiana school employees charged with forcing 7-year-old to eat his own vomit

(Brownsburg, IN) -Brownsburg Police Detectives have charged several Brownsburg Community School Corporation employees and one third-party independent contractor from Kids Count Therapy, LLC after an investigation into the mistreatment of a 7-year-old male student in the Life Skills program. The charges were presented to the Hendricks County Prosecutor’s Office on Apr. 20.

The charges filed by HCPO include Neglect of a Dependent as a Level 6 felony and Failure to Report as a Class B Misdemeanor against Brown Elementary Life Skills Teacher Sara Seymour, Brown Elementary Life Skills Instructional Aid Debra Kanipe, Brown Elementary Life Skills Teacher Julie Taylor, Brown Elementary Life Skills Instructional Aid Kristen Mitchell, and Kids Count Registered Behavioral Technician Megan King.

The Brownsburg Police Department (BPD) Investigations Unit was notified by Brownsburg Community School Police on Apr. 12 that a student had been mistreated by Seymour and Kanipe during lunch in February. The BPD obtained a search warrant and secured video evidence of the incident. Brownsburg Community School Corporation placed all individuals on administrative leave, and the termination process for Seymour and Kanipe was initiated.

Through various interviews and evidence, Seymour is said to have 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 vomited, Kanipe provided the spoon, and both Seymour and Kanipe stood at each side of the child while he consumed a portion of the vomit. Mitchell and King witnessed the incident.

The victim was required to clean up the remainder of the vomit with paper towels. The contents of the video show the victim standing up and gagging on his food before vomiting into a tray provided by Taylor. Seymour and Kanipe stood on either side of the child while he consumed the vomit with a spoon provided by Kanipe. Mitchell and King were present as witnesses.

The BCSC, Kids Count, and all individuals involved have been cooperative during the investigation. However, the information contained in this release are mere allegations, and all individuals charged with criminal offenses are innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

A copy of the press release from the Brownsburg Police Department has been embedded below.