Lawsuit claims Edgefield County schools, teacher targeted student with autism

EDGEFIELD, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - A new lawsuit accuses the Edgefield County School District and a Merriwether Elementary School teacher of discriminating against a student with autism and failing to protect him when an angry parent allegedly confronted and threatened him in the school’s after‑school program.

The complaint, filed October 26, 2026, in Edgefield County Court of Common Pleas, identifies the child as a 10‑year‑old boy who was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit disorder in 2022. The lawsuit says his conditions substantially limit his ability to learn, concentrate and handle transitions at school.

According to the filing, the boy’s family provided the district with medical documentation in November 2023 from Dr. John David Allen confirming the diagnoses and requesting additional support.

The lawsuit claims the district evaluated the student but denied him both a Section 504 plan and an Individualized Education Program (IEP), allegedly stating it did not view him as having autism despite the outside diagnosis.

Because of that, the suit argues, the district failed to give him reasonable accommodations and “deprived him of meaningful and equal access” to school programs and services.

Two key incidents

The suit claims, on January 30, 2024, Merriwether Elementary teacher Wendy Lord allegedly approached the boy from behind in the school’s front office and struck him in the back of the head with a wad of papers. The filing says the student did not consent, and that the incident was seen by his mother through reflective glass and captured on video.

The lawsuit claims Lord knew about the child’s disabilities and that he was particularly vulnerable to anxiety and emotional distress.

It alleges she acted in retaliation for earlier complaints by the boy’s mother about a privacy breach and “an alleged cover‑up” involving Lord and the school librarian, and that her actions were personal, malicious and unrelated to any legitimate educational or disciplinary purpose.

The suit also alleges, on May 2025, while the student was in the school’s after‑school program, an unidentified parent listed as “John Doe” in the suit allegedly left campus, then returned and asked an after‑school teacher to point out the child. District staff allegedly identified the student.

The lawsuit says the parent then put his finger in the boy’s face, screamed and cursed at him, and told him, “You are never going to touch my child again.” After‑school staff allegedly witnessed the confrontation but did not intervene, remove the boy or alert his mother to what happened.

As a result of the district’s and individuals’ actions, the family says the boy suffered educational harm, trauma, anxiety, fear, humiliation and ongoing emotional distress.

The family is seeking compensatory damages, punitive damages against the individual defendants, attorneys’ fees where allowed and other relief.

Lord is sued only in her individual capacity. The complaint states her alleged conduct was outside the scope of her official duties. The unidentified parent’s name is not yet known; the family’s attorney says they plan to amend the filing once that information is obtained.

The district’s response

In a statement provided to News 12, the Edgefield County School District said:

“The Edgefield County School District is aware of the lawsuit filed on October 26, 2026. We remind the community these are allegations and do not represent verified facts, and that we’re fully committed to a response through the legal process. Our school district remains committed at all times to providing a safe, respectful, and supportive environment for all ECSD students, faculty, and staff members.”