Missouri mom: Kindergartner humiliated after being denied bathroom break

"You don't even treat a dog that way," said Lisa Skidmore, whose 6-year-old daughter was forced to sit in her own filth in her kindergarten classroom when her teacher forbade a bathroom break during a test. KYTV's Sara Forhetz reports.

A Missouri mother says her 6-year-old daughter was humiliated after she was denied a bathroom break in her kindergarten class and was forced to sit in her diarrhea during a test session at school.

"They didn't even bother trying to clean her up or anything. She still had poop, diarrhea poop, coming out the back, up her front, down her legs," said the mother, Lisa Skidmore of Washburn, Mo., told KY3-TV on Tuesday.

KY3-TV, an NBC News affiliate in Springfield, Mo., was first to report the story.


The incident happened at Southwest Elementary School in Washburn, Mo., where children were participating in the Missouri Assessment Program tests; the state standardized testing required by law. 

While tests are not administered until the third grade, the child's kindergarten teacher was sticking to MAP testing guidelines in efforts to simulate the stringent rules to prepare students for what's to come, School District Superintendent Bob Walker told KY3-TV on Tuesday.

"Bottom line, we regret what happened," Walker told KY3-TV.

Walker, who was contacted by msnbc.com on Thursday, said he met with the child’s parents on Wednesday.  

“From our view point, this is a confidential matter and in regards to the media, we want it to remain that way,” Walker told msnbc.com.

In earlier interviews, Walker said he instructed teachers to be more sensitive to situations that might arise during tests.

"I don't want this to happen to any other kid. That's the point of this: I don't want this ever happening,” Walker said, according to KY3-TV.

The child’s mother said she has asked school officials for an explanation and a policy change.

"They told me that the teacher had asked her to go to the restroom before testing time," Skidmore said, according to KY3-TV.

Skidmore says her daughter was forced to sit in the class for the remainder of test time, about 15 minutes, then she was called after the test, and it was a 20-minute drive to the school, according to KY3-TV.

No one helped to clean up her child, she said. A teacher, however, did give the child a trash bag to wrap around herself, Skidmore said.

"You don't even treat a dog that way!" Skidmore told KY3-TV.

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Is it just me???? WTF??

This little brat purposely soiled herself so the teacher would get in trouble. She did not like being told no (probably never hears that at home) and decided to act out in this way. A little self control is what everyone has when it comes to bowel movements! This disgusting little act was clearly premeditated and this little pig should be thrown out of school. How do you people think this is the teachers fault? Come on people, get your heads out of your a**

  • 2 votes
Reply#55 - Thu Apr 19, 2012 7:07 PM EDT

Not likely she would do such a thing at that age. In the 7th grade, maybe.

  • 2 votes
#55.1 - Thu Apr 19, 2012 7:14 PM EDT

Excuse me, self control with bowel movements, especially loose bowel movements? Not only that, holding that stuff in can cause serious problems, like a ruptured intestine, colon, whatever the tract is.

  • 1 vote
#55.2 - Thu Apr 19, 2012 7:15 PM EDT

you are an nasty sick sob, you obviously do not have children. you are a vile person and i hope someone humiliates you for your disgusting beliefs.

  • 3 votes
#55.3 - Thu Apr 19, 2012 7:29 PM EDT

HPJ, what is wrong with you? Even adults sometimes have trouble controlling diarrhea. Not to be gross, but I'm a physical therapist, and I've seen it.

While it is possible for kids to have behavior problems related to bowel control, it certainly does not appear to be the issue here. Often if the kid does have a problem, it is because they have been holding back a lot and they are constipated and they can't control the fact that they have some leakage. Sorry to be graphic. I doubt a six year old would deliberately soil herself.

  • 2 votes
#55.4 - Thu Apr 19, 2012 7:54 PM EDT
Reply

Poor kid, it is NOT GOING TO HELP that her last name is Skidmore.

    Reply#56 - Thu Apr 19, 2012 7:07 PM EDT

    I know isn't that the $hits.

      #56.1 - Thu Apr 19, 2012 8:27 PM EDT
      Reply

      This also happened to my grandson. I told him that if you have to go to the bathroom and teacher won't let you, go anyway. How dare they won't let a child go to the bathroom. Who do they think they are? He too had to sit with it all over him. I called the school and made a complaint about it. They told me that it happens alot. Well it won't happen again because I told him to go anyway.

        Reply#57 - Thu Apr 19, 2012 7:08 PM EDT

        If this would happen to my son when he was six, he would have crapped all over the teacher’s desk. He had an attitude problem at that age.

        • 1 vote
        Reply#58 - Thu Apr 19, 2012 7:08 PM EDT

        bottom line,i would have beat the straight @!$%# out of that teacher. and then the principal would have been eating a knuckle sandwich for their blase approach to what is extremely obvious stupidity. if my 6 year old came home and told me that............that woman should count her lucky stars.....stupid bitch.

        • 1 vote
        Reply#59 - Thu Apr 19, 2012 7:09 PM EDT

        I've met that principal. I think that she can hold her own against you.

        • 1 vote
        #59.1 - Thu Apr 19, 2012 7:15 PM EDT
        Reply

        Wow, that is just so wrong on so many levels. WTH is wrong with people today???!! This person is trusted to teach our children??? And PLEASE tell me this person does NOT have children - nor should this person EVER be allowed around children! I do not normally consider a lawsuit as an option, but in this case I would be making an exception and I'd be finding me a lawyer.

          Reply#60 - Thu Apr 19, 2012 7:10 PM EDT

          Give an American even a modicum of authority and they will abuse it.

            Reply#61 - Thu Apr 19, 2012 7:10 PM EDT

            That teacher needed his or her ass kicked. No excuse for that ignorance.

              Reply#62 - Thu Apr 19, 2012 7:10 PM EDT

              What is it with teachers, book smart and no common sense?

              • 1 vote
              #62.1 - Thu Apr 19, 2012 7:16 PM EDT

              Sheila - It's not about common sense, it's about being made to follow the rules or suffer the consequences.

                #62.2 - Fri Apr 20, 2012 7:30 AM EDT
                Reply

                This was horrible, and I hope the teacher is severely reprimanded, suspended or even fired.

                That said, why on earth would this mom take this story to the press and humiliate her little one even more, now nationwide. Way to go, mom.

                • 1 vote
                Reply#63 - Thu Apr 19, 2012 7:11 PM EDT

                Very poor judgement on the teacher's part. It's right up there with the lifetime-tenured individual who had 6 year old first grade students raise their hands, wait to be called upon, then ask " I am sorry to disturb your important learning time, but may I please use the restroom?" and then wait to be excused.

                After 4 accidents during the first week at school, the policy was revisited.

                • 1 vote
                Reply#64 - Thu Apr 19, 2012 7:12 PM EDT

                Not sure where your going with that. Most kids have to raise their hand, wait to be called on, ask and then go to the bathroom, usually you don't just walk out. I always needed a "bathroom" pass. I don't think an extra half of sentence made a bunch of kids have accidents.

                There must have been more going on there.

                  #64.1 - Thu Apr 19, 2012 8:38 PM EDT
                  Reply

                  This is taking Obama's nothing left in behind to far.

                    Reply#65 - Thu Apr 19, 2012 7:13 PM EDT

                    obama had nothing to do with no child left behind, that was bush jr. keep your political crap out of threads that have nothing to do with it.

                      #65.1 - Thu Apr 19, 2012 7:32 PM EDT
                      Reply

                      What I don't understand is why don't these teachers and administrators learn from all the other headlines and use some common sense? Don't they know things like this go viral and they seem like idiots? What is scary is these are the people teaching the children today. I am so glad my kids have been done with school for some years now. The teacher in the article is a dolt and was totally insensitive to this little child. I don't think she should be fired, but at the very least reprimanded, written up and suspended without pay for a day or two.

                      • 1 vote
                      Reply#66 - Thu Apr 19, 2012 7:14 PM EDT

                      Everyone seems to be quick to want to blame and fire the teacher, but I see a much deeper issue being the real problem here; and it lies in our efforts to try and turn our children into good little robot workers who follow the rules without question or else suffer the consequences and humiliation.

                      • 2 votes
                      Reply#67 - Thu Apr 19, 2012 7:15 PM EDT

                      So the teacher was instructed to be more sensitive in the future. This was a case of just using common sense. The teacher should be fired for allowing this to even happen.

                        Reply#68 - Thu Apr 19, 2012 7:15 PM EDT

                        I think this teacher need to be punished. Bottom line, child was scared for life.... I really feel bad.

                          Reply#69 - Thu Apr 19, 2012 7:15 PM EDT

                          HPJ201. Do preschool girls really deviously will a case of diarhea in their bowels to exact retribution for bathroom "NO"s, and how much physical self control should a 6 year old girl possess to not be a useless piece of sheet to you? Look again at your post several times and feel regret for it and cringe about what you scribed there, for we all must pity you, the apparent A-hole, who cannot sympathize about a child covered in her own filth, you're of no use here. Begone.

                          • 3 votes
                          Reply#70 - Thu Apr 19, 2012 7:15 PM EDT

                          What is that teacher doing getting a kindergarten preparedfor something that will happen in 3 grade?

                          There is so much difference between the two in all areas. That teacher had no business putting those students through that much stress.

                          She needs to go back to school and learn what it is a teacher is suppose to do that is age and grade appropriate. She sounds like she is a bully of the worst kind.

                          • 2 votes
                          Reply#71 - Thu Apr 19, 2012 7:17 PM EDT

                          What do you mean, what is the teacher doing preparing the Kindergarten student for something in 3rd grade? That is a ridiculous question. Everything a student is taught is in preparation for those standardized tests. Districts are under tremendous pressure for success. If the students don't do well on the tests in 3rd grade, you'd better believe that the 3rd grade teachers will be putting part of the blame on the teachers in K-2 - because it IS there responsibility to prepare the students for 3rd grade. The 3rd grade teacher has to teach them 3rd grade material & get them ready for 4th grade, etc. The 3rd grade test covers material from K-3.

                          The first year our district had to do the state standardized tests, they ran into trouble because the students had never filled out a test sheet with circles. The following year, about half the regular tests that K-3 had were fill-in-the-circle tests.

                            #71.1 - Fri Apr 20, 2012 7:35 AM EDT
                            Reply

                            This is very simple. Take the person who would not let the child go to the bathroom, seat them in a chair and do not allow them to get up until they go to the bathroom in their pants like they made that poor kid do! What goes around--------comes around.

                              Reply#72 - Thu Apr 19, 2012 7:18 PM EDT

                              Even though I do not teach at the elementary level, I think it is quite possible to tell when a kid really has to use the restroom. Honestly it isn't that difficult. If this little girl had "the runs"...her face was probably red, and showing a clear amount of stress. This teacher doesn't teach at a middle school level or anything where students will often fake having to use the restroom to get out of class. This little girl showed a genuine need to go. I don't know if I would go as far as reprimanding the teacher...but they should try to use more common sense and have teacher meetings to prevent something like this in the future.

                              Some of the standardized testing rules these days are pretty strict. Where I teach we are required by law to only let 1 boy and 1 girl out of the room at a time during testing to prevent the possibility of them cheating while in the restroom...crazy stuff. Though...If a kid in my room is turning red...sweating...and wiggly...then I would probably let them go anyway...

                              • 2 votes
                              Reply#73 - Thu Apr 19, 2012 7:18 PM EDT

                              Kindergarteners poop their pants all the time!! One of my fondest memories of kindergarten is of seeing poop oozing out of the boy's pants, that was sitting in front of me during story time and he sat there not telling anyone.

                              How do you know "this little girl showed a genuine need to go". How do we not know that she already went before even asking to go.

                              Don't get me wrong, I think the teacher should of took action as soon as she knew, but this article is too vague, to know what really happened. I'm sorry, but 35 minutes in poop, isn't giving her a UTI (unless not cleaned up properly, which only a parent should get that close to a young'ens parts) or harming anyone else in the classroom, except maybe their noses.

                              • 1 vote
                              #73.1 - Thu Apr 19, 2012 8:47 PM EDT
                              Reply

                              what is really sad is it is apparent that Missouri Schools have not changed much in over 40 yrs when I was a student there in my elementary yrs. I experienced the same type of humiliation and treatment in the 2nd grade in Sullivan, No.... Maybe this teacher is a direct descendent of Mrs. Bennich...un- frickin believable

                              • 2 votes
                              Reply#74 - Thu Apr 19, 2012 7:18 PM EDT

                              More and more teachers and schools are using poor judgement in how to handle simple situations. This would have never happened at the school I went to in the 70's and these are the people who used paddles on the kids. Teachers are putting duck tape on kids, humiliating them in class and having 6 year olds arrested. Enough is enough. p.s. Unions have made it possible for people to make a livable wage, get insurance and to have an 8 hr day witch many teachers dont follow because they give their lives to their vocation and spend their own money. Just some people should not be teachers.

                              • 2 votes
                              Reply#75 - Thu Apr 19, 2012 7:20 PM EDT

                              Totally disgusting behavior for any adult! This is absolutely child abuse/neglect. There would be a lawsuit coming for the teacher/administration of this school.

                              • 1 vote
                              Reply#76 - Thu Apr 19, 2012 7:21 PM EDT

                              Talk about a reason to fire someone. If this isn't a reason the moon is made of chesse.

                              • 1 vote
                              Reply#77 - Thu Apr 19, 2012 7:22 PM EDT

                              I hope the teacher is severely reprimanded...bitch. This is what children have to look forward to the rest of their lives...no compassion.

                              • 2 votes
                              Reply#78 - Thu Apr 19, 2012 7:23 PM EDT

                              When I was in 4th grade my teacher made me lie in the floor while she pretended to walk all over me as a punishment, in front of the whole class. I was looking up her dress the whole time, what I saw traumatized me for years to come. On one of the holidays I went to the 5 and dime and bought her a bottle of Jergens hand lotion (her favorite) with lunch money I saved up, went behind the store and poured about half out and filled it up with urine. She told me it was her favorite as she rubbed it in her hands everyday. She was eventually fired and started selling encyclopedias, she actually tried to sell my family a set. My parents kicked her out of the house. True story.

                              • 1 vote
                              #78.1 - Thu Apr 19, 2012 8:14 PM EDT
                              Reply

                              I'm sure the other students in the room loved it when they had to sit in the same room where a fellow student with diarrhea just crapped her pants. I generally have the utmost respect for teachers but this one needs a different occupation. Maybe politician?

                              • 1 vote
                              Reply#79 - Thu Apr 19, 2012 7:24 PM EDT
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