Teacher suspected of abusing student with autism at elementary school

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — A lawsuit has been filed against the Poway Unified School District after claims surfaced that a former teacher was seen physically and emotionally abusing a five-year-old student with autism.

On Monday, Attorney John Gomez held a press conference outlining the accusations against James D. Reed III, a former special needs kindergarten teacher at Creekside Elementary School in Sabre Springs.

“One time he made Connor go outside in the rain and left him there outside soaking wet with his pants down to his knees and diaper exposed, forced Connor to sit alone in a corner behind partitions and isolated from Reed and his classmates, banned Connor from going outside to play,” Gomez said.

Kathie, the boy’s mother, spoke saying she began to notice unusual behavior from her non-verbal son soon after he started school in September of 2023.

“When all this happened, we noticed his aggression increase. He’d go from 0 to 100 at points because he didn’t know how else to express himself,” Kathie said.

Gomez claims the abuse went on for about five months and in front of other district employees and staff hired through Stepping Stones, LLC. Gomez says no one reported it until January 2024.

“He is reportedly a big dude, a former Marine,” Gomez said. “Maybe his presence intimidated people, but for whatever reason these adults, these responsible adults that were observing this for months don’t say a word.”

Gomez claims Reed has a criminal history, but the Poway Unified School District says Reed passed a background check and no criminal history was found.

In January, San Diego Police Department visited the school and did not find Reed at the location. No arrest was made.

Authorities launched an investigation, which has been completed, and forwarded it to the San Diego City Attorney’s Office for review.

“We entrusted Creekside Elementary, its administrators, teachers and staff to enrich our child’s life, instead our child was physically and emotionally abused for months without it being reported and unable to come and tell us what was happening,” Kathie said.

The Poway Unified School District released a statement on the incident, saying Reed was immediately placed on administrative leave and turned in his resignation in February.

FOX 5/KUSI emailed Stepping Stones, LLC, which was also named in the lawsuit, and as of news time did not receive a response.

Anyone with information about the case or any similar incidents to contact the SDPD Child Abuse Unit at 619-531-2260 or Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.

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