Legal support for Marcus
Donation protected
UPDATE: we are absolutely overwhelmed with the support! Please keep it going. Thank you !
UPDATE : the suspension has been lifted, but the title IX (2) are still on his record. The legal consul is still on going. We need to be sure that the title IX are removed from his record, and that he can complete his college education without any other issues, so that he can focus on what is important for him., theater
and singing
Thank you so much for the ongoing support!
My son, who has Autism, CP, a VP shunt and limited expressive language, graduated from High School with a Diploma, and started community college, with a dream to major in Musical Theater.
In the fall semester 2017 he tried to make friends in college, and “fist bumped” with a female student, who reported him. The “incident “ was reported as “inappropriate behavior “ and ended up with a Title IX incident (sexual harassment) reported against him, therefore my son was not allowed on campus without an aide. We contested the charges, pending investigation, and complied with the request.
In October, in one of his classes, my son asked a girl’s permission to take a selfie with her, and she said “yes” (aide was with him) and during the taking of the picture, my son, at arms length from the girl touched her on her shoulder with the tips of his left hand. That was turned in as” inappropriate touching”
After months of meetings, certified mail back and forth, the college decided to “suspend “ him for the semester!! Which is absolutely crazy!!! He will be suspended and have 2 title IX incidents on his record. His college dreams and career will be over, and he will be devastated.
He did nothing wrong!! So we appealed the decision, but will need legal support... and that’s the help we need. He is being persecuted because of his Autism.
Marcus is an amazing person! He has never ever been inappropriate with anyone. All he desires is to make friends and be treated like everyone else. He works so hard to keep up in a normal classroom setting. He works so hard to overcome his social obstacles. And the administration is throwing him on the cross to simply make him go away. With his special needs, many people have tried to put him down over the years. He has fought for his right to have friends and an education. His one dream is to have a college degree and they are trying to take that from him unjustly.
At this time we have over 20 character witnesses ready to testify at the hearing, but he NEED legal support!
I have consulted with a firm and they will love to help... but we need funds for retainer and more hours of consultation and representation. I can’t afford the kid of money this will cost.
His rights are been violated! All he wants is to study.
Please help me to help him! Thank you for your support and if you can't donate please send your prayers and pass his story on to those who can help. We are desperate and his dreams are on the line.
All funds donated will be used for legal fees for Marcus’ defense, and any funds over and above what is used for that defense will be donated to Autism Speaks and other organizations dedicated to helping kids and adults with Special Needs.
Aurora Knight
UPDATE : the suspension has been lifted, but the title IX (2) are still on his record. The legal consul is still on going. We need to be sure that the title IX are removed from his record, and that he can complete his college education without any other issues, so that he can focus on what is important for him., theater
and singing
Thank you so much for the ongoing support!
My son, who has Autism, CP, a VP shunt and limited expressive language, graduated from High School with a Diploma, and started community college, with a dream to major in Musical Theater.
In the fall semester 2017 he tried to make friends in college, and “fist bumped” with a female student, who reported him. The “incident “ was reported as “inappropriate behavior “ and ended up with a Title IX incident (sexual harassment) reported against him, therefore my son was not allowed on campus without an aide. We contested the charges, pending investigation, and complied with the request.
In October, in one of his classes, my son asked a girl’s permission to take a selfie with her, and she said “yes” (aide was with him) and during the taking of the picture, my son, at arms length from the girl touched her on her shoulder with the tips of his left hand. That was turned in as” inappropriate touching”
After months of meetings, certified mail back and forth, the college decided to “suspend “ him for the semester!! Which is absolutely crazy!!! He will be suspended and have 2 title IX incidents on his record. His college dreams and career will be over, and he will be devastated.
He did nothing wrong!! So we appealed the decision, but will need legal support... and that’s the help we need. He is being persecuted because of his Autism.
Marcus is an amazing person! He has never ever been inappropriate with anyone. All he desires is to make friends and be treated like everyone else. He works so hard to keep up in a normal classroom setting. He works so hard to overcome his social obstacles. And the administration is throwing him on the cross to simply make him go away. With his special needs, many people have tried to put him down over the years. He has fought for his right to have friends and an education. His one dream is to have a college degree and they are trying to take that from him unjustly.
At this time we have over 20 character witnesses ready to testify at the hearing, but he NEED legal support!
I have consulted with a firm and they will love to help... but we need funds for retainer and more hours of consultation and representation. I can’t afford the kid of money this will cost.
His rights are been violated! All he wants is to study.
Please help me to help him! Thank you for your support and if you can't donate please send your prayers and pass his story on to those who can help. We are desperate and his dreams are on the line.
All funds donated will be used for legal fees for Marcus’ defense, and any funds over and above what is used for that defense will be donated to Autism Speaks and other organizations dedicated to helping kids and adults with Special Needs.
Aurora Knight
Organizer
Aurora C Pellecchia Knight
Organizer
Mission Viejo, CA