A white therapist at a suburban Atlanta autism center is facing charges after the parents of a Black 5-year-old boy say surveillance video showed him being violently pushed into a storage shelf.
The boy suffered a deep gash to his forehead that required stitches and hospital treatment. He had reportedly been making progress at Pathways Autism Center for the last two years.
WSB-TV reported that police arrested the therapist, Jacob Lameiras. He faces Aggravated Battery and Second-degree Child Cruelty charges.
The therapist’s attorney told WSB-TV reporter Tom Jones that his client, who also has autism, has no prior history or allegations of mistreating patients.
A Cover-Up?
Jones said the parents alleged a cover-up.
“The parents want to know how this fall happened. They say they asked to see the video, but the center would not let them,” WSB-TV reporter Tom Jones said while standing outside the company’s Johns Creek location.
Eventually, the parents were able to see the video. “I was very disappointed and shocked,” Antonio Martin, the boy’s father, said.
Despite the video, the parents claim the center refused to call the police.
A “Premier Provider”
Pathways describes itself on LinkedIn as a “premier provider” of applied behavior analysis therapy in Georgia. It serves clients from early childhood through adulthood in home, school, and community settings.
Pathways Behavioral Consulting, LLC operates the Johns Creek location, along with a second location in Marietta. Described on its official Instagram as a family-owned operation, the company has been registered as a Georgia business since 2014, according to state business records.
A search of available public records turned up no civil lawsuits against Pathways Behavioral Consulting, and the Better Business Bureau has no complaints on file.
‘Poor Little Baby’
The story has generated shocked reactions online. Many commenters expressed sympathy for the family. As one put it: “I’m so glad the parents were persistent in looking at the video. Poor little baby.”
Lameiras’ attorney, Matt Acuff, says the center fired his client after conducting a random review of videos showing Lameiras working with clients. According to Acuff, the review found no unprofessional behavior.
Lameiras posted a $15,000 bond and was released.
The family told WSB-TV that they plan to pursue legal action.
Atlanta Black Star reached out to Pathways Behavioral Consulting seeking comment and will update this story as more information becomes available.
