EAST HARTFORD, Conn. — An East Hartford mother, Shenika Carroll, is demanding accountability after alleging that her 6-year-old son, Jahrell, was illegally restrained by staff at Woodland School multiple times in late 2023 and early 2024. The disturbing incidents, which were captured on school surveillance video, are now the subject of a lawsuit filed in Hartford Superior Court.

Jahrell, who has been diagnosed with autism and ADHD, began attending Woodland School in fall 2023. The public school offers therapeutic programs for children with special needs and promotes behavioral interventions and individualized education. Initially, Carroll believed it would be a good fit. “I felt at ease,” she said. “I wanted to see how he would succeed in this program.”

That changed just before the winter break when Jahrell began mentioning frequent visits to the “MC Room,” which Carroll later learned stood for “Mindfulness Center.” According to staff, it was a space for students to calm down when dysregulated. But Jahrell soon expressed that he didn’t feel welcome there and claimed staff used the room as a threat: “If you don’t stop, I’m going to restrain you.”

Carroll raised concerns with the school and demanded answers. On January 5, 2024, she received a phone call from Woodland staff apologizing and informing her that video evidence existed of the incidents. What she saw next shocked her.

In the videos, Jahrell is seen being dragged by the arms, pushed, and forced into the padded MC Room. On several occasions, male staff members pinned him into a corner, holding his arms above his head for extended periods. One clip from December 20, 2023, reportedly shows a staff member rolling him in a mat and dumping him on his head.

“It was heartbreaking,” Carroll said. “My son was doing nothing wrong.”

The school launched an internal investigation and notified the Department of Children and Families (DCF). The East Hartford Police Department also reviewed the case, documenting that staff had gone “hands-on” with Jahrell on four separate days. Despite this, criminal charges were never filed. Police say their request for arrest warrants was rejected by the court.

Carroll’s attorney, Michael Pedevillano of BBB Attorneys LLC, says the actions were illegal under Connecticut law.

“Connecticut law prohibits restraints of children in schools except in very limited cases, such as when there is an imminent danger to themselves or others,” said Pedevillano. “There is nothing in the video that suggests Jahrell was a danger.”

He also said the physical restraint technique used on Jahrell — described as an improvised maneuver — was not part of Woodland’s approved Physical Management Training (PMT) protocols. Moreover, the school failed to notify Carroll within the 24-hour window required by law when restraints or seclusion are used.

A 51-page DCF report substantiated emotional and physical neglect by six staff members. In response, one staff member was terminated, two resigned, and others faced demotion, relocation, or administrative leave.

Carroll has filed a civil suit against the Town of East Hartford, the Board of Education, former principal Licia McKnight, and seven staff members. The suit alleges that Jahrell suffered “physical, mental, and emotional injuries” due to the school’s actions.

Despite her calls for justice, Carroll says the police did not take the case seriously. East Hartford police declined further comment, but confirmed their role in submitting the arrest warrant applications.

East Hartford Public Schools Superintendent Thomas Anderson issued a statement saying the district prioritizes student safety but will not comment due to ongoing litigation.

Today, Jahrell is enrolled in a new school and doing better. Carroll hopes her experience encourages other parents to speak up.

“As stressful as this process has been, it has fueled me to keep going,” she said. “These are my babies, and I am their first advocate.”