Autistic boy pulled out of school after bag claim

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The Kentucky mother of an autistic boy who says he was stuffed in a duffel bag for misbehaving in class has pulled her son out of school.

Sandra Baker said that although classes resumed Tuesday in their central Kentucky school district, she will homeschool her 9-year-old son, Christopher.

Baker says she won't send Christopher back to Mercer County Intermediate School until the teacher responsible is fired and the staff is better trained to deal with children with developmental disabilities.

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Baker's case was first reported by CBS affiliate WKYT and WLEX.

The mother claims she was called to school because her son was acting up. As she walked down the school's hallway, she was shocked to hear the 9-year-old calling to her from inside a bag. The mother claims she was told the bag, which also contained some balls, was used as a "therapy bag" by school officials. Although her son was asked to sometimes roll over a bag with balls, she never dreamed he was being put inside the bag. She said she was equally shocked to find out from school officials that this wasn't the first time her son was placed inside the green Army Duffel bag as a form of punishment.

The case has spurred an online petition calling for the firing of school employees responsible.

The Mercer County schools interim superintendent did not immediately return a telephone call seeking comment.