Mother: Son with disabilities stranded at the Bronx Zoo in the rain

The mother of a student with disabilities says he was stranded at the Bronx Zoo in the rain last Wednesday.

News 12 Staff

Oct 22, 2019, 12:01 AM

Updated 1,648 days ago

Share:

The mother of a student with disabilities says he was stranded at the Bronx Zoo in the rain last Wednesday.
Maria Alvarez says the West Bronx Academy for the Future should have never allowed her son, Anthony Maisonave, to walk to the zoo without his motorized wheelchair. She claims she told the paraprofessional this over the phone before the field trip.
Alvarez says her son has a type of muscular dystrophy and that the school blatantly disregarded Anthony's IEP, which states that "he currently uses a wheelchair and requires accessible transportation." However, she says that instead they listened to Anthony's claim that his mother was OK with him walking.
The school said they called Anthony's father when they couldn't get in touch with Maria to confirm. She says her son's father only consented on the condition that she approved, which she says she did not.
Alvarez says her son can't walk past two blocks without collapsing. He couldn't walk back to the school because his body hurt.
"I found my son on the floor of Fordham Road and Southern Boulevard. So they just left him there," said Alvarez.
"You broke his IEP, and you also violated his disability rights. You know? My son could have collapsed, broken a bone, there is so much to risk with someone with muscular dystrophy," said Alvarez.
The city's Department of Education released a statement saying, "The safety, comfort, and needs of our students come first, and the school has apologized to this family. We are looking into this concerning allegation and will take any additional necessary follow-up action."
Alvarez says the school made no effort to transport her son back. She says she received an apology from the principal five days later.
Alvarez is pursuing legal action at this time.


More from News 12
0:32
Kingston man charged in barbershop stabbing

Kingston man charged in barbershop stabbing

1:30
Sun and clouds before spotty evening showers for Saturday in the Hudson Valley

Sun and clouds before spotty evening showers for Saturday in the Hudson Valley

0:29
MTA outlines new details on congestion pricing, including start date

MTA outlines new details on congestion pricing, including start date

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

2:04
Movie theater experience: A close look at the Jacob Burns Film Center in Pleasantville

Movie theater experience: A close look at the Jacob Burns Film Center in Pleasantville

1:35
 White Plains community memorializes impactful couple as part of 41st Arbor Day celebration

White Plains community memorializes impactful couple as part of 41st Arbor Day celebration

0:21
Funeral held for Westchester correction officer killed in Scarsdale motorcycle crash

Funeral held for Westchester correction officer killed in Scarsdale motorcycle crash

0:31
Police: 18-year-old Washingtonville man with autism has gone missing

Police: 18-year-old Washingtonville man with autism has gone missing

0:23
New Korean-style fried chicken restaurant opens in Mahopac

New Korean-style fried chicken restaurant opens in Mahopac

2:16
New Rochelle teacher receives birthday surprise from students, colleagues

New Rochelle teacher receives birthday surprise from students, colleagues

1:23
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators rally in Irvington during President Biden's visits to Westchester

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators rally in Irvington during President Biden's visits to Westchester

0:26
Hudson Valley communities receive bronze Climate Smart Certification

Hudson Valley communities receive bronze Climate Smart Certification

0:23
Rockland County sues New York state over when elections can be held

Rockland County sues New York state over when elections can be held

0:21
Greenwood Lake Board of Trustees appoints interim mayor

Greenwood Lake Board of Trustees appoints interim mayor

0:23
Police: 18-year-old facing charges in Walden shooting

Police: 18-year-old facing charges in Walden shooting

0:48
President Biden announces future opening of upstate microchip factory

President Biden announces future opening of upstate microchip factory

0:21
Rockland County DA: Haverstraw man pleads guilty in sexual abuse of 2 children

Rockland County DA: Haverstraw man pleads guilty in sexual abuse of 2 children

0:51
Indian Point oversight board, Holtec discuss decommissioning options of former nuclear plant

Indian Point oversight board, Holtec discuss decommissioning options of former nuclear plant

0:47
State police: DNA sample from human remains found does not match profile of missing Putnam teen

State police: DNA sample from human remains found does not match profile of missing Putnam teen

0:31
New mural of Yonkers hip-hop legend Mary J. Blige unveiled at Palisade Towers

New mural of Yonkers hip-hop legend Mary J. Blige unveiled at Palisade Towers