August 14, 2025

Concern Grows After Severe Injury of Autistic Student at School

News Summary

Lenisha Manigo is seeking answers after her daughter, Jayla Frazier, a 7-year-old autistic student, sustained a severe injury on the first day of school. Allegedly injured while being changed, Jayla was taken to the hospital for treatment. This incident raises concerns about the safety protocols for special needs children within the school. Manigo has reported multiple previous injuries her daughter suffered at school, questioning the level of care and supervision provided. Community discussions have sparked regarding the responsibility of schools for the welfare of vulnerable students.

Beaufort, SC – Lenisha Manigo is seeking answers after her daughter, Jayla Frazier, a 7-year-old non-verbal autistic student at Shanklin Elementary School, suffered a severe injury on the first day of classes. Manigo received a call on August 6 from the school nurse, requesting that she pick up her daughter due to an injury sustained during school hours.

Upon her arrival at the school, Manigo discovered Jayla injured and saw blood on the floor as well as on her daughter’s clothes. School staff reported to Manigo that Jayla had hurt herself by slamming her finger in a door while they were attempting to change her. Due to the severity of the injury, Manigo took Jayla to the hospital, where she underwent treatment for eight hours and required anesthesia for surgery on her middle finger.

This incident marks the most severe injury Jayla has experienced while attending the special education program at Shanklin Elementary. However, it is not the first time she has been injured at school. Manigo has expressed concerns that every time her daughter has sustained an injury during school hours, the explanation has been that the injuries were self-inflicted. She noted that Jayla does not have a history of injuries at home or in other settings, as these incidents only occur while attending school.

Manigo has raised apprehensions about the level of monitoring and care her daughter has received while at school, suggesting that negligence may have been a factor contributing to the injury. After discussing her concerns with the school administration the day following the incident, Manigo found the principal’s response dismissive and was informed that the matter had been referred to the district’s legal team.

Candace Bruder, a spokesperson for the Beaufort County School District, acknowledged their awareness of the situation but declined to provide further comments, citing privacy laws that restrict details regarding student incidents.

As of now, Jayla has not been cleared to return to school by her physicians, leaving Manigo feeling apprehensive about sending her daughter back. Manigo believes that the severity of the finger injury warranted the involvement of Beaufort County’s Emergency Services (EMS) for immediate assessment following the incident.

Jayla has been part of the special education program since Pre-K and has encountered multiple incidents involving injuries while at school. Each time, the staff’s response has lacked detail, typically attributing the injuries to self-infliction. As a result, Manigo is left questioning the efficacy and safety of the environment provided for her daughter’s education.

This situation has ignited discussions among parents and advocates for special needs children regarding the protocols in place within school systems for monitoring student safety. The case raises critical questions about the care provided for vulnerable students in educational settings and the responsibility of staff to ensure their welfare.

As the story unfolds, the community and concerned parties await further information regarding the investigation and any potential changes to protocols that may arise in light of this troubling incident.