A mother has initiated legal action following the tragic death of her autistic son, who fatally injured himself by hitting his head against the ground while reportedly confined in a makeshift classroom setup. Joshua Sikes, aged 11, passed away in his sleep in November 2024 due to brain death resulting from the head trauma incurred during the incident. The distressing event unfolded as Joshua, restrained within the classroom using bookcases, bookshelves, and heavy-duty straps, expressed his longing for his mother while engaging in self-harming behavior.
The lawsuit, directed at the special education provider Southeastern Cooperative Educational Programs (SECEP), alleges that Joshua was left unattended as he continued to harm himself. Despite being informed that Joshua was misbehaving and needed to be picked up from school, his mother, Julie Xirau, was unaware of the severity of the situation and the injuries sustained by her son. Tragically, Joshua’s condition deteriorated over the following days, leading to his untimely demise on November 3, 2024.
Julie is now seeking $150 million in damages from SECEP and four staff members, accusing the school of failing to provide medical aid or promptly inform her about the incident. Local authorities investigated the matter, with findings suggesting no wrongdoing on the part of the staff members. An obituary published in memory of Joshua highlights his unique journey as an autistic child, emphasizing his joyful and imaginative nature that touched the lives of those around him.
Efforts to reach out to Southeastern Cooperative Educational Programs (SECEP) for comments have been made by media sources.
