Texas school worker charged after teen with autism dies following shove

A Harris County behavioral specialist is in jail on an injury-to-the-disabled charge after a 16-year-old student with autism died following an alleged forceful shove into a classroom, according to court documents obtained by ABC Houston affiliate KTRK.

The case renews scrutiny of how staff are trained to handle students with disabilities in public schools — and whether oversight mechanisms can prevent abuse before a child is harmed.

Donald Perkins, a behavioral specialist, is accused of shoving the student into a classroom on April 23 after the student took a piece of food from a school bus, according to Harris County court records. Court records describe the incident as an "unprovoked physical assault," and surveillance video captured the moment of impact. "The push was forceful. A loud thud can be heard on the surveillance video at the point where (the student) made contact with the ground," the records state.

The student had food in his mouth at the time and began choking immediately after the shove, KTRK reported. "The staff could be heard saying he was choking. (The student's) body became limp shortly thereafter," court documents state. Perkins attempted the Heimlich maneuver but was unable to dislodge the obstruction.

The student was airlifted to Texas Medical Center, where he suffered catastrophic oxygen deprivation. He died six days after the incident. "I learned from the student's father (on April 29) that the student had passed away," the investigating officer said, according to court documents.

Court records indicate Perkins had no authority to remove the student from the bus and was aware the student had food in his mouth and a documented history of choking hazards before delivering the shove.

Superintendent Doug Killian issued a statement on behalf of the district. "We are devastated by the loss of one of our students. My most sincere prayers are with the family, and we grieve alongside them during this heartbreaking time," Killian said. The district placed Perkins on administrative leave following the incident.

Perkins remains in Harris County Jail as of the time of publication. Local law enforcement continues to investigate.

The case comes as advocates nationwide call for stricter federal standards governing the use of physical intervention with students with disabilities in public school settings.