RALEIGH, N.C.,None — The director of the North Carolina School for the Deaf in Morganton was "separated" Tuesday from her employment with state government based on preliminary findings of abuse and neglect at the school.
Janet McDaniel, who has run the school since April 2008 as interim and then permanent director, has been suspended with pay since mid-July while a team examined allegations made by the advocacy group Disability Rights North Carolina.
"Female students were creeped out by one of the male residential dorm supervisors using the security cameras to spy on them," Vicki Smith, with the advocacy group, said. "We also received a complaint of putting one (student) in a facedown restraint, which is a very, very dangerous form of restraint and (the student) had bruises and torn clothing."
Disability Rights wrote its own report detailing allegations that teachers or staff assaulted two students, used excessive force with a third and entered the girls' dormitory at inappropriate times. The group had called for McDaniel's removal in its report because it said she "permits and perpetuates acts of abuse by failing to take swift and decisive action to protect students."
Nearly 100 students in grades K-12 attend the day and residential school. The new school year begins Monday.
Some employees at the school remember McDaniel, who began working at the school in 1983, as someone who cared deeply for students.
"She did love the kids. I know she loved the kids," Sheila Maynor, a part-time teacher, said. "Everything she said, every speech, was about the kids."
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services said its investigation could wrap up by as early as next week. The team, which includes HHS leaders, a former principal, a state educator and child psychologist, has interviewed as many as 30 people.
WSOC
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