Families of abused autistic kids get $5M

SCRANTON, Pa., May 28 (UPI) -- A federal judge has approved a $5 million settlement for the families of seven autistic children allegedly abused by their teacher in northeastern Pennsylvania.

The settlement ends a federal lawsuit against the Northeastern Educational Intermediate Unit, the Abingdon Heights School District and former teacher Susan Wzorek, The (Scranton) Times-Tribune reported.

In their 2006 lawsuit, the families said the school district had covered up classroom aides' reports that Wzorek pinched, hit and restrained the students with duct tape and bungee cords during the 2001-2002 school year. The suit said the defendants had violated the students' civil and constitutional rights and the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

Under the settlement, each family will receive from $400,000 to $1.22 million.

Neither attorneys for the defendants nor Fred Rosetti, executive director of the Intermediate Unit, could be reached for comment, The Times-Tribune said.

Larry Moran, an attorney representing the families, would not comment on the settlement beyond saying, "The resolution of this case is the product of the involvement of the intermediate unit, the school district and Susan Wzorek."