A Goodlettsville father has filed a lawsuit against Metro Nashville Public Schools, alleging his 7-year-old son was taped to a chair at Mt. View Elementary in Antioch and later suffered emotional and psychological injuries. The complaint, filed April 24, 2026, in Davidson County Circuit Court, seeks $300,000 in damages and names the school district rather than an individual teacher. The family says the child became withdrawn after the incident and that they turned to the courts in an effort to secure accountability.
According to WKRN, the complaint claims the boy was taped "across the top of his pant legs and under the seat of his chair" and was released only when another teacher stepped in. The suit, brought by Goodlettsville attorney Ali Toll, argues that MNPS negligently failed to supervise and properly train staff and seeks the statutory cap on damages. Court records cited in local coverage say the child later showed an "odd emotional response" after school, prompting his father to start asking questions and ultimately file the lawsuit.
The investigation found multiple incidents
An internal review by Metro Nashville Public Schools in spring 2025 concluded the allegations were "substantiated" and recommended that the teacher be terminated, according to reporting. Investigators interviewed students who said they had seen tape used across legs and, in some accounts, placed over mouths, and they also described other disciplinary tactics that made classmates uncomfortable. The teacher resigned before the district could complete termination proceedings, and MNPS reported the case to state authorities as part of its process, per WSMV.
The teacher denies restraining the child
The educator identified in earlier coverage has denied taping students to chairs and told administrators she used a single piece of tape on clothing as a tactile cue while following recommendations from a behavior specialist. Her attorney maintains she did not restrain the child and is challenging the investigators’ conclusions, according to NewsChannel 5. Personnel records reviewed by reporters show the employee ultimately resigned and is not eligible for rehire.
District response and next steps
MNPS has said the employee was placed on administrative leave while the matter was investigated and that the conduct described did not align with district policies, according to district statements cited by WKRN. The district has declined to comment on the pending lawsuit. The civil complaint will move forward in Davidson County Circuit Court, where the family says it is seeking accountability through the legal process.
Why this matters
The complaint accuses MNPS of systemic failures in supervision and staff training that allegedly allowed an improper restraint to occur, and the filing could renew scrutiny of how the district handles disruptive behavior in the classroom. Parents and advocates say the case highlights long-running concerns about restraint and behavior protocols in schools and the need for clearer oversight. How MNPS responds, whether through settlement talks, policy changes, or litigation, will determine whether the case results in a payout, changes to district rules, or both.
