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Autistic 6-Year-Old Dragged by Ankle at Illinois Special Education School; Federal Oversight Uncertain After OCR Office Abolished

Jacksonville, Illinois

May 28, 2025 (Updated: January 21, 2026) 1 Left Neutral General

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TheWkly Analysis

Jacksonville, Illinois: ProPublica reports a shocking incident where a 6-year-old non-verbal autistic boy, Xander Reed, was dragged down a hallway by a substitute teacher at Garrison School. Despite prior federal directives for reform, the school—famed for a high rate of student arrests—has faced repeated allegations of improper restraint and punitive tactics. Further complicating matters, the regional Office for Civil Rights (OCR) was dissolved, leaving uncertain federal oversight. Parents and advocates fear that without OCR’s watchful eye, instances of abuse may go unaddressed.

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What this means for you:

•	Immediately check special education protocols if your child is in a program similar to Garrison—ask administrators about staff training in de-escalation.
•	Within 2–4 weeks, document any unusual incidents or injuries thoroughly—written records bolster accountability.
•	Over 3–6 months, consult disability rights organizations or attorneys if you sense systemic negligence—federal complaints may still be an option despite reduced OCR capacity.
•	Engage in local or state advocacy efforts aiming to strengthen oversight, potentially offsetting the loss of OCR resources.

Key Entities

• Xander Reed: 6-year-old autistic student who was dragged by the ankle.
• Garrison School: Part of Four Rivers Special Education District, historically high arrest rate of students.
• OCR (Office for Civil Rights): Regional office abolished by the Trump administration, leaving oversight gaps.

Multi-Perspective Analysis

Left-Leaning View

Denounces the rollback of federal oversight and highlights the child’s traumatic incident.

Centrist View

(No major coverage).

Right-Leaning View

(No major coverage).

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