San Antonio teacher accused of denying first-grader bathroom break before boy went home in underwear is suspended

A San Antonio elementary school teacher was suspended after allegedly barring a first-grader from using the bathroom, school district officials said.

The educator was employed at Bella Cameron Elementary School within the San Antonio Independent School District, officials confirmed.

The incident allegedly occurred on Friday, August 28, at the elementary campus, according to the district.

The first-grade student was reportedly sent home wearing only a T-shirt and underwear after having an accident at school, according to his mother.

Amber Starr, the boy’s mother, arrived to pick up her son at the end of the school day, she said.

She found her son wearing only his T-shirt and underwear upon arriving at the campus, Starr said.

Her son had an accident near the end of the school day, Starr said. He had not been provided a change of clothes, according to the mother.

The child told her he had asked his teacher for permission to use the bathroom, Starr said. He was allegedly not allowed to go, according to the mother.

The teacher claimed she lacked a phone number to reach the mother after the accident, Starr said.

The mother had provided her contact information during the school’s Meet the Teacher event, Starr said, disputing the teacher’s claim.

Starr spoke with both the teacher and the vice principal on Friday afternoon, she said.

The mother did not believe appropriate action was taken during that initial Friday discussion, she said.

The vice principal was the administrator present on campus Friday, according to Starr. Another administrator, identified as Ms. Morales, was not on campus when the incident occurred, Starr said.

Starr spoke with Morales on Monday morning, she said. The mother felt that her concerns were heard during the meeting, according to Starr.

“Ms. Morales stood up for me and my son(s) today,” Starr wrote in an update.

The mother was told she would receive additional updates as the matter moves forward, Starr said.

Legal action had been taken against the teacher, Starr stated in an update.

The teacher was no longer on school property as of Monday, according to Starr.

San Antonio ISD confirmed on Monday, August 31, that the educator had been suspended while administrators investigate the incident.

The district reported the matter to law enforcement, Child Protective Services and the Texas Education Agency, school officials said.

Her son is doing well following the incident, Starr said, adding that she appreciated those who supported her family.

Her decision to speak publicly was about advocating for her child rather than seeking attention or money, Starr said.

“I was being a voice for my son,” Starr wrote. “When one person doesn’t listen to you, don’t shut your voice!”

Starr encouraged other parents who believe their concerns involving their children have not been heard to continue advocating for them, she said.

No additional information regarding the outcome of the district’s investigation has been released, according to officials.