Videos are circulating online from the «Aqyldy bala» private centre in Saryagash, showing a staff member using physical force against a 13-year-old boy with Down's syndrome. The footage shows the teacher grabbing the child by the leg and dragging him across the floor, before picking up a stick and raising it at the boy.
According to the Telegram channel «Jagdai», the employee is an art therapist named Marlen.
For reference: an art therapist is a practitioner in the field of psychology who influences a person's emotional state through art. The specialist works with suppressed emotions, traumatic memories and negative situations using creative methods — drawing, sculpting, singing, etc.
The boy's mother said her son tearfully complained of chest pain and said the teacher had hit him and he was scared. It has also been reported that Yerkebulan has undergone two heart operations.
«If his heart had stopped then — who would have been held responsible?», the mother asks.
It is reported that the local administration stated they had reviewed the incident and dismissed the employee. The child received psychological support and his condition is currently stable.
Meanwhile, Informburo.kz reports that the police department of the Turkestan Region is investigating the case. Authorities have opened a criminal case under Article 140 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan («Failure to fulfil duties for the upbringing of a minor»), the maximum penalty for which is 40 days' arrest.
«Necessary measures are being carried out to establish all the circumstances, following which an appropriate decision will be made. The case is being monitored by the department's leadership», the department stated.
It is noted that no one had filed a statement with the police; the incident came to light via social media.
This incident raises questions about the appropriateness of the legal classification. We assume that Article 140 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan does not fully correspond to the nature of the act committed — direct physical violence against a child with special needs.
It would arguably be more logical to apply articles concerning the infliction of bodily harm or torture, especially given the vulnerability of a child with Down's syndrome and his previous heart operations.
The fact that the investigation only began after posts on social media highlights the need to improve child protection mechanisms in specialised institutions.