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PrintCarmel on the Case: Teacher Charged
Posted: 11/20/12
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Danny Max Cohen
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A former Broward County teacher is facing jail time for the way she punished an autistic three year old last school year. Investigative reporter Carmel Cafiero is On the Case.
WSVN -- Julian Maldonado is a little fellow dealing with big problems caused by autism. Those problems are also a challenge for the parents who love him and the teachers who care for him.
His parents Nick and Jennifer were horrified when they learned his teacher at Tedder Elementary in Deerfield Beach was reportedly punishing Julian by putting him in a storage closet and closing the door.
Nick Maldonado: "Emotionally I was devastated."
Jennifer Maldonado: "He was locked away and he was secluded, so that's never something that we want to make our son feel secluded."
The school district investigation revealed Julian's former teacher Sharon Vaninger repeatedly placed Julian in the storage room.
That he was left unattended and unsupervised, and that the room contained wires and potentially hazardous items.
Now Vaninger is about to be the one locked up.
Nick Maldonado: "I was hoping for somewhat of a jail time, just to resemble a similar situation for her to have a little empathy on what she put him through."
The Broward State Attorney's Office says Vaninger has agreed to a plea deal. She will spend 10 days in jail. In exchange, Vaninger won't be charged with a felony for the way she treated Julian.
Jennifer Maldonado: "We're really relieved to see some type of closure."
Vaninger no longer works for the Broward School District. Her attorney sent us a statement reading: "After consulting with my client, we must refuse your request for an interview at this time. Given the fact that criminal charges are pending, it would be premature for my client to comment on the case."
Nick Maldonado: "Ready to go to school, want to go with daddy?"
Julian: "Yes."
Nick Maldonado: "OK, come on."
Nick believes Julian was affected by the ordeal, but now nine months later he's thriving.
Nick Maldonado: "He's been progressing amazingly. New setting, new teachers, everything, he's been growing up."
Jennifer Maldonado: "Say bye!"
Julian: "Bye!"
Carmel Cafiero: "The plea deal still has to be approved by a judge. But it is expected that after the holidays, Vaninger will begin her new year by checking in here at the Broward County Jail."
His parents Nick and Jennifer were horrified when they learned his teacher at Tedder Elementary in Deerfield Beach was reportedly punishing Julian by putting him in a storage closet and closing the door.
Nick Maldonado: "Emotionally I was devastated."
Jennifer Maldonado: "He was locked away and he was secluded, so that's never something that we want to make our son feel secluded."
The school district investigation revealed Julian's former teacher Sharon Vaninger repeatedly placed Julian in the storage room.
That he was left unattended and unsupervised, and that the room contained wires and potentially hazardous items.
Now Vaninger is about to be the one locked up.
Nick Maldonado: "I was hoping for somewhat of a jail time, just to resemble a similar situation for her to have a little empathy on what she put him through."
The Broward State Attorney's Office says Vaninger has agreed to a plea deal. She will spend 10 days in jail. In exchange, Vaninger won't be charged with a felony for the way she treated Julian.
Jennifer Maldonado: "We're really relieved to see some type of closure."
Vaninger no longer works for the Broward School District. Her attorney sent us a statement reading: "After consulting with my client, we must refuse your request for an interview at this time. Given the fact that criminal charges are pending, it would be premature for my client to comment on the case."
Nick Maldonado: "Ready to go to school, want to go with daddy?"
Julian: "Yes."
Nick Maldonado: "OK, come on."
Nick believes Julian was affected by the ordeal, but now nine months later he's thriving.
Nick Maldonado: "He's been progressing amazingly. New setting, new teachers, everything, he's been growing up."
Jennifer Maldonado: "Say bye!"
Julian: "Bye!"
Carmel Cafiero: "The plea deal still has to be approved by a judge. But it is expected that after the holidays, Vaninger will begin her new year by checking in here at the Broward County Jail."