Sonia Mongol, the mother of an 8-year-old son alleges he was forced to urinate in front of his classroom and then told to wear a garbage bag, is seeking answers.
In a press conference held on Friday, Mar. 8, Mongol says her son was denied the right to relieve himself discreetly when he asked his teacher to use the restroom at Manhattan Place Elementary School in Los Angeles.
According to the distraught mom, the unnamed minor asked his teacher on more than one occasion to use the school bathroom. Instead, the teacher told the student to urinate in the classroom trashcan, resulting in her son “exposing himself in front of all the other students,” Mongol said, She added, “He got urine on himself and was given trash bags to cover his wet clothes.”
In a news conference held outside of the South Los Angeles school, the mother also claims she was not told her son would have to spend the rest of the day wearing the plastic bags and soiled clothing.
Latricia Mitchell, a retired teacher, joined Mongol at the news conference, and told reporters that teachers can refuse restroom rights to students, but only under certain circumstances. Mitchell further adding that good judgment and common sense are often the deciding factors for such admission or restriction.
According to Mongol, the alleged incident, which is said to have taken place in November, has resulted in the ongoing bullying of her son. Mongol has since called school officials to get clarity on what happened that day. In a statement to CNN on Thursday, the school district confirmed that they are conducting an investigation.
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“Los Angeles Unified takes all matters concerning the safety and well-being of our students very seriously,” a Los Angeles Unified School District spokesperson said. “Upon learning about this allegation, law enforcement was notified immediately, and we are fully cooperating in the investigation. Los Angeles Unified is also conducting an administrative investigation. Due to confidentiality laws, we cannot offer further details at this time.”
