Petitioning Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice Petition by Morenike Giwa Onaiwu Houston, Texas 11,480 Supporters     Kayleb Moon-Robinson is a 6th grader in Virginia on the autism spectrum. During what was a difficult day for him, he kicked a trashcan at his middle school. A school resource officer saw him and filed a disorderly conduct charge in juvenile court against the then 11-year-old boy.  Two weeks later, Kayleb was told to wait while other kids left class but disobeyed. When the same officer grabbed Kayleb to bring him to the principal’s office, Kayleb says he tried to push away but the officer “slammed me down and then handcuffed me.” The officer then charged him with felony assault against a police officer and another charge of disorderly conduct. Unbelievably, this autistic 6th grader was just convicted of both disorderly conduct and felony assault on a police officer.  Kayleb, is a small boy who wears glasses and posed no real threat to the officer. He does not belong in the juvenile justice system just because he has a disability. That’s why Virginia Governor McAuliffe must pardon Kayleb – otherwise this felony will negatively impact his ability to obtain jobs, housing, and other opportunities in his future. For a 6th grader with autism, that’s just unfair.  I am a mother, and I’m also autistic — as are two of my children. I have other children with disabilities as well. Young people who are on the autism spectrum can have difficulty differentiating the roles of certain people, like police, from others. That doesn’t make them criminals.  Nationally, schools disproportionately punish and refer disabled students and students of color to law enforcement. Kayleb is both autistic and black. And according to the Center for Public Integrity in just one year Virginia schools refer students to law enforcement agencies at a rate nearly three times the national rate — higher than any other state in the country. Please sign my petition asking Virginia Governor McAuliffe to pardon Kayleb. He needs support, not a record. (Photo credit: Charlie Archambault/Center for Public Integrity)

Police Department & School District Responses: #JusticeForKayleb

Apr 16, 2015 — Lynchburg City Schools (LCS), Kayleb’s school district, issued a statement yesterday in response to the growing media attention over Kayleb’s case: 

“We’re at a distinct disadvantage in responding. We cannot reply to all of the specific allegations that have been made because the law doesn’t allow us to discuss the specifics regarding the child or the court proceedings. The public is only hearing one side of the story, and based on our investigation of this matter, the incident did not take place in the manner in which it was portrayed. SROs (school resource officers) play an important role in the school division, and we have and will continue to work together on procedures for when SROs should become involved in incidents involving students. We feel they are being unfairly portrayed in this matter.” 

It seems that they are implying that Kayleb is not being truthful and that the actions taken were justified.

Lynchburg Police Department (LPD) also issued a statement yesterday: “Like LCS, the LPD is limited in our ability to provide information on this matter. Our working relationship with LCS remains strong and positive. We will continue to work collaboratively with LCS in developing and defining the role of police officers in our schools. These officers not only provide a security function, they more importantly provide a means to build positive relationships with those we serve. The five LPD SROs are a dedicated group of individuals who approach their role in the schools with all the professionalism expected of LPD officers.
The day the arrest occurred the involved officer’s supervisor reviewed the incident and found no violation of law or LPD policy. In response to new information reported in the media, the LPD has initiated a second review of the matter by our Professional Standards Division to validate that finding.

Any further questions should be directed to the LPD Public Information Officer.”

Something seems amiss. LCS was embroiled in a 3 year investigation by the federal Office of Civil Rights for alleged discrimination against black students in the district. LCS avoided potentially harsh penalties by entering into a legal agreement with the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights to prevent discrimination.

Some of the concerns about LCS that were being investigated included under-representation of black students in advanced classes and a disproportionate rate of disciplinary actions taken against black students. While black students comprise about 50% of the student population, they made up a whopping 78% suspensions. 

LPD has some similarly troubling issues. As recently as last year, LPD was considering implementing a body camera policy for its officers. According to Walter Fore, an NAACP resident of Lynchburg: “There are some officers on the Lynchburg force, which is more than 80 percent white, who are just overbearing toward minorities.”

The Autistic/Autism communities continue to stand beside Kayleb and his family. We encourage you to visit the family’s #JusticeForKayleb Facebook page for updates. Additionally, a Go Fund Me account has been established to give Kayleb a voice. Please visit the link below in order to donate.

Thank you for your support! We exceeded 2500 signatures in just 2 days. Please remain hopeful that Kayleb will be pardoned. Together, we can achieve #JusticeForKayleb!!!

Link to Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Justice-For-Kayleb/876924979034647?fref=nf 

Link to fundraiser: http://www.gofundme.com/giveKalebAvoice

Link to article about LCS’ discrimination:http://www.newsadvance.com/news/local/lynchburg-city-schools-to-make-changes-aimed-at-preventing-discrimination/article_99fba17e-bad7-11e3-8d12-001a4bcf6878.html

Link to article about LPD and body cams:http://www.newsadvance.com/news/local/lynchburg-police-department-explores-potential-for-body-camera-equipment/article_ff84ed16-7e8b-11e4-89a4-3bf9e5cb68ab.html

Link to LCS statement about Kayleb:http://www.wset.com/story/28818097/lynchburg-city-schools-offers-statement-regarding-charges-for-11-year-old-boy

Link to LPD statement about Kayleb:https://www.facebook.com/LynchburgPolice/posts/1031810613513005

Link to my blog post about Kayleb:http://whoneedsnormalcy.blogspot.com/2015/04/justiceforkayleb-now.html

Justice For Kayleb