TOLEDO, Ohio —
A Toledo Public Schools teacher at Beverly Elementary School is being accused of leaving two preschoolers on separate occasions outside by themselves in the cold after crying in class.
The incidents occurred on Dec. 3 and 4, involving four-year-old Aria Weinrich and three-year-old Khyli Love, who share the same teacher.
"Are you cold yet?" said Khyli's grandmother, Keva Maddox. "Because this is what can be seen and heard on video by [the teacher] repeatedly asking my three-year-old granddaughter as she's standing in the freezing cold. 'Are you cold yet? You're not coming back inside until you stop crying.'"
According to the WTOL 11 Weather forecast, temperatures on Dec. 3 and 4 ranged in the mid-30s during the daytime.
A supervisor of the Early Childhood Program reached out to the children's mothers, Keshara Love and Deanna Mccullough, telling them that their daughters were allegedly sent outside without a coat until they stopped crying.
"I was hurt," said Mcullough. "It really hurts me that someone my daughter loves and trusted did this to her."
A post on Facebook about the incident caught the attention of the president of the New Order National Human Rights Organization, Gerald Rose, resulting in him traveling to Toledo from Georgia to make sure Khyli and Aria get justice.
"We want this teacher terminated immediately," Rose said. "Because all eyes are at Beverly Elementary School as we speak. All eyes. Not just us. We're talking about grandparents, kids, school officials. We want to make sure that they know we're clearly not going nowhere until we get justice."
Toledo Public Schools provided the following statement following the incident:
Toledo Public Schools is aware of a deeply concerning incident involving a staff member’s conduct and actions toward preschool students at Beverly Elementary. When we became aware of the situation, the district swiftly took action, immediately suspending the teacher and contacting Lucas County Children Services. A thorough investigation continues, as TPS takes all matters impacting student safety and well-being seriously. Appropriate disciplinary action will be taken in accordance with district policies and procedures to ensure the highest standards of professionalism and student care are upheld in our schools.
"It's not the school, it's the teacher," Khylie's great-grandfather, Keith Miller said. "If they get rid of the teacher, the school's fine. It's a great school. So, it's not the school, it's the teacher."
Maddox said that Khyli dreaded going to school and that her motivation to make sure that this doesn't happen to her, Aria, or any other child, is Khyli's happiness.
"According to the high officials of the school system, they say that was uncalled for and that they are taking this very seriously," Rose said. "And I'm going to hold them accountable for telling me that."