In a dramatic courtroom scene, Rachel Smith, a former teacher from Ohio, broke down in tears as she attempted to explain her actions.
Smith, who was 27 at the time, faced charges for laughing and recording while her colleague, Allison Vestring, restrained an autistic student with Down Syndrome to a chair using duct tape.
Court’s Verdict and Defense
Smith was found guilty of unlawful restraint and two counts of endangering children following the disturbing incident in March, according to Fox 19.
During the trial, Smith claimed that the act, which involved her and Vestring, was intended as a form of ‘fun’ rather than punishment.
However, the court, along with the student’s devastated parents, rejected this defense.
Parents’ Heartbreak
The boy’s father expressed deep disappointment, saying, “We sent him to school to ensure he wasn’t bullied, and we never expected this from his teachers.”
He emphasized that their son, who has limited physical and verbal abilities, has been deeply affected by the incident, making the family feel “sick to their stomach.”
Disturbing Video Evidence
The horrifying situation was captured on video by Smith, where the boy is heard pleading for help as she laughs in the background.
In one clip, Smith mockingly encourages the boy to “try and get up,” while he responds, “This isn’t funny.”
Another video shows the boy reaching out to a teacher he trusts for assistance, only to be taunted by Smith, who tells him, “He’s not coming to help you. You’re stuck.”
Court Testimonies and Impact
According to court documents, the student was bound to the chair for up to five minutes.
On the stand, Smith tried to justify her actions, claiming she didn’t realize the severity of the situation and that the boy never explicitly asked her to stop.
She cried, “I honestly wasn’t thinking at the time.
He never said ‘stop’ or ‘quit’—he has used those words before, but not that time.”
The boy’s parents noted the lasting impact on their son, recounting how he became fearful of tape while they were decorating for a birthday, forcing them to remove him from the room to avoid distress.
Legal Consequences and Future Sentencing
Allison Vestring, who had previously pleaded no contest, was sentenced to five years of community service and banned from working with special needs students.
Rachel Smith is scheduled for sentencing in early October.
Mine Crypto. Earn $GOATS while it is free! Click Here!!