A mother in the United States is pursuing a multi-million dollar lawsuit after her 11-year-old autistic son died from brain trauma, which she alleges occurred while he was restrained in a "makeshift classroom prison" built from bookcases and straps.
A Tragic Sequence of Events
Joshua Sikes, an 11-year-old boy from Virginia Beach, Virginia, passed away in his sleep on 3 November 2024. According to a legal complaint filed by his mother, Julie Xirau, his death resulted from brain injuries sustained days earlier at school.
The incident allegedly took place on 31 October 2024 at a facility run by the special education provider Southeastern Cooperative Educational Programs (SECEP). The lawsuit claims Joshua was "restrained and secluded" in an enclosure constructed from furniture and heavy-duty straps, described as a prison.
While confined, Joshua is said to have lain down, begun kicking, and struck his head repeatedly on the floor. Crucially, the suit alleges that SECEP employees "watched and did nothing" to intervene or assist him during this distress. It is reported that during the ordeal, the boy cried out, "I miss my mummy."
Failure to Inform and a Fatal Delay
Later that afternoon, Julie Xirau received a call from the school stating Joshua had been misbehaving and needed collecting. Unaware of the alleged restraint or injury, she disciplined him by cancelling trick-or-treating plans.
"No one told her about what happened and what they did," the lawsuit asserts. With limited verbal skills, Joshua was unable to explain the truth of his treatment.
The following day, a school holiday, Joshua became increasingly lethargic and withdrawn. As his condition worsened into 2 November, his concerned mother took him to an emergency room. However, not knowing about the potential head trauma, she could not inform doctors, who advised a specialist follow-up.
Tragically, Joshua died at home before that appointment could happen. "Julie, living a nightmare no parent should ever have to endure, discovered Joshua's body in bed," the legal filing states.
Legal Action and Official Investigations
Julie Xirau, represented by lawyer Matthew J. Moynihan, is now seeking $150 million (approximately £115 million) in damages from SECEP and four staff members. The core allegations are that the institution failed to provide medical aid, failed to inform the parent of the restraint and injury, and misrepresented the incident as mere misbehaviour.
Local authorities, including the Commonwealth's Attorney for Virginia Beach, Colin Stolle, investigated the death. Stolle's office found "absolutely no evidence to support" claims of staff fault. A Child Protection Services probe attributed alleged neglect to an "unknown abuser" and deemed physical abuse claims unfounded.
In a moving obituary, Joshua was remembered for his "joy, kindness, and pure spirit." It described a boy who found wonder in Lego, Baby Yoda, and play, whose "unique journey" touched all who knew him.
This case raises profound questions about restraint techniques, safeguarding, and communication in special needs education, highlighting a family's search for accountability amidst unimaginable loss.
