Experts: Punishment sign may be abuse

TAMPA, Fla., Feb. 21 (UPI) -- Experts said a punishment involving a Florida 15-year-old wearing a sign detailing his scholastic missteps may be considered maltreatment.

Ronda Holder, 33, said her 15-year-old son, James Mond III, was made to wear the sign on a Tampa street corner for about 4 hours Wednesday after he did not respond to previous attempts to make him focus on his schoolwork, the St. Petersburg (Fla.) Times reported Monday.

"I did 4 questions on my FCAT (Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test) and said I wasn't going to do it ... GPA 1.22 ... honk if I need (an) education," the sign read.

"He'd tell us, 'That school doesn't give homework' or 'That teacher has a problem with me,'" the boy's father, James Mond Jr., said.

However, experts said the punishment could be considered maltreatment. Terry Field, a spokesman for the Department of Children and Families, said officials are investigating the case.

"It definitely would fall within the category of emotional abuse. It's shame, embarrassment and humiliation. This will be a lifelong memory for him," said Arlinda Amos, a clinical psychologist and ombudsman for the Hillsborough Children's Board.