Brownsville, Indiana – A former elementary school teacher who forced a special needs student to eat his own vomit has reached a plea deal that will keep her out of prison — and permanently out of the classroom.
Sara Seymour, who worked as a life skills teacher at Brown Elementary School, pleaded guilty this week to one misdemeanor charge of neglect of a dependent. In return, prosecutors dropped an additional charge of failure to make a report.
Shocking Incident Captured on Video
The disturbing case dates back to February 2023. According to court documents, Seymour told a 7-year-old neurodivergent student that if he threw up, he would have to eat whatever came out. Tragically, the child did vomit, and a teacher’s aide, Debra Kanipe, handed the boy a spoon.
The horrifying incident was reportedly caught on video, and three other school staff members witnessed what happened but failed to report it.
Social media exploded with outrage after the story went public. Comments ranged from disgust to calls for harsher punishment, with many expressing disbelief that Seymour would avoid significant jail time.
Sentencing and Restrictions
Seymour was sentenced to 365 days in jail, but 363 of those days were suspended, meaning she will serve that time on probation instead. She was given credit for time already served.
As part of her plea deal, Seymour must surrender her teaching license to the Indiana Department of Education. She is also banned from working in any “direct-service position” involving minors under the age of 18.
In addition, she must remain home between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. as part of her probation conditions. A no-contact order with the victim remains in place.
Fallout at the School and Community Response
The Brownsburg Community School Corporation (BCSC) was not made aware of the incident until late April 2023. Once they learned what had happened, the school district fired Seymour, Kanipe, and another involved staff member.
A fourth staff member resigned. A fifth person, a contractor not directly employed by the district, could not be fired but also faced criminal charges.
Four of the five cases connected to the incident have now been resolved, all ending with plea agreements and no jail time. Kanipe is the only one still awaiting trial, which is scheduled for June.
In response to the national outrage, BCSC released a statement saying, “This horrendous action is not in line with the character of staff and teachers at Brownsburg Schools. The shocking actions of a few do not define the care and concern that Brownsburg teachers and staff show every day.”