Mom said she found bruises on nonverbal son with autism after school

NORTH CHARLESTON, SC (WCSC) - North Charleston police are investigating after a woman claims she picked up her 7-year-old son with autism from North Charleston Elementary School and noticed bruises on the child.

Dana Grimsley’s son is both autistic and nonverbal, so he has not been able to tell her what happened at school on May 1, which is when she said the bruises appeared.

According to the police report, there were about four or five substitute teachers in the classroom that day because of the state-wide teacher walkout.

Photos Grimsley said she took the day she saw the bruises show several lines on the child’s arms that appear to be finger marks.

Grimsley told police her son had no bruises before school on May 1.

“I’ve lost sleep, I’m so stressed out," Grimsley said. "I’ve played scenarios in my head of what could have possibly happened that day because I don’t even know that it stopped there.”

Grimsley also said the incident has slightly altered her son’s behavior and disposition.

“I can drive by the school, not even necessarily go to the school, but just by it, and he’ll start freaking out and getting upset and he’ll just start hitting himself," Grimsley said.

Grimsley pulled her son out of North Charleston Elementary School. Before she even thinks about a new school, she’s looking for answers and focusing on holding the school accountable for what happened.

“If I don’t say something or do something now, then it’s going to continue and it’s going to continue to other children," Grimsley said. "I don’t want any other parent to experience what I’m experiencing. It’s horrible.”

A spokesperson from Charleston County School District commented on the investigation.

“Charleston Country School District is aware of this matter; district and school staff members are actively investigating what occurred, and we are fully cooperating with the North Charleston Police Department.”

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