A mother is taking legal action following the tragic death of her autistic son, who fatally injured himself by banging his head on the ground while reportedly confined in a makeshift classroom prison. The incident resulted in the child’s brain death, with the boy expressing distress by saying, “I miss my mummy.” The lawsuit names the special education provider Southeastern Cooperative Educational Programs (SECEP) as the defendant, alleging that staff members failed to intervene as the child harmed himself.
The lawsuit details how Joshua Sikes, aged 11, passed away in his sleep after sustaining head trauma in the classroom. The mother, Julie Xirau, claims that Joshua was restrained and secluded in a manner that led to his self-inflicted injuries. Despite the child showing signs of distress, the employees allegedly neglected to provide assistance.
The tragic events unfolded on October 31, 2024, when Julie was called to collect Joshua from school due to his misbehavior. Unaware of the severity of the situation, Julie was shocked to later discover the extent of her son’s injuries. Joshua’s condition deteriorated over the following days, prompting Julie to seek medical help, but tragically, the child passed away in his sleep on November 3, 2024.
Seeking justice, Julie is pursuing $150 million in damages against SECEP and four staff members for their alleged negligence. Investigations into the incident and Joshua’s untimely death have been carried out by local authorities, with no evidence found to support claims of staff misconduct.
Reflecting on Joshua’s life, an obituary published on Altmeyer Funeral Homes & Crematory website described him as a joyous and imaginative child whose presence left a lasting impact on those around him. The lawsuit aims to shed light on the circumstances leading to Joshua’s tragic demise and hold accountable those responsible for his untimely passing.