ANSONIA – Police are investigating a report that a Mead School teacher injured a pre‑k student so badly he needed surgery, The Valley Indy has learned.
In addition, a lawyer representing the child’s family has officially put the school district and the city on notice, saying a lawsuit is on the way.
The lawyer, Edward L. Walsh of New Haven, filed a notice in Ansonia City Hall on May 21.
The incident allegedly happened at 9:30 a.m. March 25 on the Mead School playground.
The 3‑year-old child was with other students on the playground when, “as he was walking,” an employee “caused him to fall to the ground, resulting in personal injuries.”
The child’s right arm was fractured, an injury that has required two surgeries, according to the notice.
Walsh declined to go into details about the incident.
Lt. Patrick Lynch of the Ansonia Police Department confirmed that the incident is being investigated but said he could not comment further.
The legal notice filed by Walsh with Ansonia is required by law.
The Valley Indy is not publishing the employee’s name at this time nor the victim’s family’s name at this time. That could change if a lawsuit or criminal charges are filed.
Ansonia Public Schools Superintendent Joseph DiBacco said the employee accused is no longer employed by the school district. The Valley Indy submitted a freedom of information request on May 30 seeking access to the former employee’s personnel file, which is a public document according to state law.
Walsh said there is apparently video of the incident, though he did not have a copy as of May 30.
“My minor client sustained a very serious injury that never should have happened, and especially it never should have happened at a school, where the people in charge are charged with the safekeeping of children,” Walsh said.
Walsh said the boy’s family won’t be commenting at this time.
