A teacher accused of dragging a five-year-old autistic child, Vann Murphy, by the wrist at Lancaster-Lebanon Intermediate Unit 13 (IU13) school is no longer certified to teach in Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Department of Education deemed the teacher uncertified last month, following an investigation by the Lancaster County Children and Youth Social Service Agency. According to CBS 21, the teacher allegedly restrained Murphy by his wrists, dragged him across the floor, and confined him to a small room for over an hour on February 27.
The incident, witnessed by four paraprofessionals, led to the teacher being placed on leave and remaining out of contact with students. Heather Murphy, Vann's mother, expressed relief that the teacher can no longer work in a classroom but hopes for criminal charges. She has not received an apology and demands accountability,CBS 21.
East Lampeter Police Chief Stephen Zerbe stated that their investigation, reviewed by the district attorney, concluded the teacher's actions did not warrant criminal charges, as there was no evidence of physical injury. Heather Murphy has drafted legislation requiring special education classrooms to report restraint or seclusion of children with special needs and to install live-streaming video for parental observation. She has shared this draft with local lawmakers, seeking systemic changes to prevent similar incidents.