A Louisiana mother is demanding accountability after her 6-year-old daughter, who suffers from a milk allergy, was denied access to the bathroom at school and later forced to clean up after soiling herself. The incident at Rollins Place Elementary in Zachary has sparked widespread outrage, with parents questioning the school’s handling of both medical accommodations and student dignity. School officials have since admitted the situation was mishandled and pledged corrective action.
Jamisha Augustine, the child’s mother, had previously submitted medical documentation to the school, notifying staff of her daughter’s allergy. Despite this, the girl was given milk for breakfast earlier this week, leading to repeated trips to the restroom. When her teacher eventually refused further requests, the child was unable to control her bowels. Instead of receiving assistance, she was sent to the office and told by the principal that she was “too big to be having accidents.”
The school’s decision to make the first grader clean herself up without proper sanitation support has drawn sharp criticism. “I asked them, don’t you have janitors for this?” Augustine said. “They told me they do but said my daughter needed to be disciplined.” The mother described the situation as “irresponsible, hazardous, disgraceful and really pathetic,” emphasizing that no child should be subjected to such treatment, particularly when the accident was linked to a medical condition.
Following public scrutiny, Zachary Community Schools Superintendent Ben Necaise acknowledged that the teacher and principal had mishandled the situation. “You learn from mistakes,” he said. “In hindsight, they realized that was not an appropriate step.” He confirmed that both staff members involved have undergone additional training to prevent similar incidents. The school district also issued a formal apology to Augustine.
Despite the apology, Augustine remains skeptical about whether meaningful change will occur. She insists that clear protocols should be in place to prevent students from being humiliated in similar situations. “You send a janitor in with the proper equipment,” she said. “But a 6-year-old kid, you are going to make them clean up poop without gloves? It’s disgraceful and should not have gone on in our school. It should not have happened.”
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