SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) — The Sioux City Community School District and a former teacher are being sued over alleged mistreatment of an autistic student.
According to court documents, Halima Osman has accused the school district and former teacher Olivia Ratley of mistreating her autistic son, currently 11, while he attended Spalding Park Elementary School.
Ratley began working for the school district in 2023 and had the student in her class from August 2023 until January 2025 when she resigned.
Court documents state that Osman said that she noticed changes to her son’s behavior such as regression in developed skills and less eagerness to go to school.
The documents continue, saying that Osman believes that Ratley would become frustrated with her son and shove and pinch him. She also believes she would refuse to allow him to use the restroom. Osman also believes that Ratley would improperly use physical restraint or isolation to punish her son and other students. The documents also state that Ratley would not complete required paperwork or notify Osman when her son would be restrained or isolated.
Staff members made complaints about how Ratley would treat students in her special education classroom, according to court documents, and the school’s administration did not take prompt action in regard to the complaints. In December 2024, Osman was notified that they had been receiving complaints about Ratley, and an investigation revealed that Ratley had used an illegal hold on her son. The school also stated that there were other victims of “Defendant Ratley’s abuse in the classroom.”
The school also said that Ratley was terminated, according to the court documents, even though Ratley was permitted to resign.
In response to the violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act and alleged negligence, a jury trial has been requested.