07/15/2009

SANDPOINT, Idaho (AP) _ The family of an 8-year-old girl with an
autism disorder who was arrested at school in January has filed a
tort claim asking Bonner County officials to pay damages for the
incident.

In their claim, Charles and Spring Towry ask for more than
$500,000 in damages. The school district and county have 180 days
to settle or reject the claim and risk a lawsuit.

The Ponderay couple's third-grade daughter, Evelyn, has Asperger
syndrome, an autism spectrum disorder. She was arrested on
suspicion of battery at Kootenai Elementary School Jan. 9 after
staffers said she spit on and inappropriately touched two
instructors.

The child was handcuffed and taken to the county's juvenile
lockup, where she was released to her parents. The county
prosecutor later dropped the charge against the girl.

Information from: Bonner Daily Bee,
http://www.bonnercountydailybee.com

^The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
APNP-07-15-09 1027MDT<