Preschool Children Forced To Stand Naked In Classroom Cupboard As Punishment

Two Head Start teachers in East St. Louis, Missouri, were placed on paid administrative leave after allegations that children, as young as four years old, were forced to strip off all of their clothes and stand in classroom cupboard as punishment.

The teachers and students were part of the Head Start program operated by Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) at the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Center.

"Children would misbehave in class and the teacher would have them disrobe and stand them, make them stand inside a closet for five or 10 minutes as their discipline. Then they would redress and join the class," SIUE Police Chief Kevin Schmoll said.

According to Schmoll, four of the 20 students in the class were forced to take their clothes off and the form of punishment had been going on since early February. However, police were only notified recently. The students were aged four and five years.

"We felt that was very inappropriate and possible there's some criminal action and some charges could come from this," Schmoll said.

The incident sparked outrage among the community after news of the alleged abuse spread.

"As a mother myself, I can't believe they would let something like this go on," a resident, Lakysha Jeffries, told local media News 4. Marquis Ginger, another resident, said: "Something needs to be done to the teachers as far as what's going on."

According to police, one of the teachers accused of disciplining students inappropriately was 26 years old and was a Head Start teacher at the center for three years. The second teacher was 41 years old with five years’ experience in the program.

In a statement to parents, SIUE said the center has "dedicated itself to the protection of all children in or care." The center said they were notified by a parent about "a child safety violation" in the classroom on March 13.

"Immediately upon receipt of the parents allegations, the alleged incident was reported to all of the proper authorities and an official investigation has been launched," SIUE said adding, they could not disclose details of the allegations due to the "confidentiality of students record."

"However, we wish to make it clear that the well-being and safety of all children is our top priority. Under no circumstances does the program condone or tolerate any inappropriate treatment towards children, families or staff. We will continue to cooperate fully with the proper authorities and will take appropriate action consistent with the law and program policy in handling this matter," the letter added.

A representative with the St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s office will most likely be present when the children are more thoroughly interviewed at the Children’s Advocacy Center in Belleville in two weeks, local media reported. No charges were filed against the teachers so far.