Mother sues Chicago Public Schools for allegedly handcuffing her child

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A mother says her 6-year-old daughter was handcuffed at school by a security guard, and will file a lawsuit Thursday against Chicago Public Schools. The lawsuit names both CPS and the individual security guard.

Marlena Wordlow alleges a CPS security officer at Fernwood Elementary School in Chicago's crossed the line in March.

"You can't treat children like that," Worldlow said.

Wordlow said the officer disciplined first grader Madisyn Moore for allegedly taking a piece of candy by handcuffing her and leaving her alone for more than an hour.

"She was under the stairs, handcuffed, in the school, by the boilers," she said.

Wordlow's attorney, Jeffrey Granich, plans to file the lawsuit against CPS Thursday, alleging excessive force, false imprisonment and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

"I can't imagine where anybody working in a school would ever conceive that this is an appropriate way to behave, an appropriate way to discipline a child," Granich said.

Wordlow said she removed her daughter from Fernwood Elementary after the incident and CPS has yet to offer to enroll her in a different school. Snice then, she said her daughter is scared of the dark and terrified of anyone in a police uniform.

"It's not about the lawsuit, it's about letting people know you can't treat children like that. She's only six," Wordlow said.

CPS released a statement Wednesday night saying, "The safety and well-being of our students is vitally important to the District, and we take these allegations seriously. Once the incident came to light, the District immediately took the appropriate steps to address this situation and ensure our students' safety."

Chicago Public Schools also said the employee in question has been terminated and a "do not hire" note has been placed in his personnel file.