A mother has taken legal action following the tragic death of her autistic son, who fatally injured himself by repeatedly hitting his head against the ground while confined in what she described as a “makeshift classroom prison.”
The boy, Joshua Sikes, aged 11, passed away in his sleep in November 2024 due to brain death resulting from severe head trauma sustained while in this restrictive environment. According to reports, Joshua pleaded, “I miss my mummy,” while being held in a confined space constructed with bookcases, bookshelves, and heavy-duty straps designed to limit movement.
In the lawsuit against special education provider Southeastern Cooperative Educational Programs (SECEP), Joshua’s mother, Julie Xirau, alleged that her son, while restrained and isolated, began kicking and striking his head on the floor, and that SECEP staff did not intervene to help him.
The day before his death, Julie received a call from the school informing her that Joshua had been misbehaving and needed to be picked up. Due to his communication challenges, Joshua could not express the mistreatment he endured. Unaware of his injuries, Julie noticed his deteriorating condition the following day and rushed him to the emergency room, where he tragically passed away from brain death caused by the classroom incident.
Julie is seeking $150 million in damages from SECEP and four staff members, claiming that the school failed to provide medical assistance or inform her about the incident and injuries. Local authorities investigated the incident and Joshua’s death, with no evidence found to implicate the staff members. Child Protection Services attributed the neglect to an unknown abuser, and claims of physical abuse were deemed unfounded.
Describing Joshua as a child who brought joy and kindness to those around him, an obituary on Altmeyer Funeral Homes & Crematory website painted a picture of a young boy with a vibrant imagination and a love for simple pleasures like playing with toys and exploring the outdoors.
The Mirror has reached out to SECEP for comment on the matter.