'Psychiatric suspensions' in kindergarten

NEW YORK, May 1 (UPI) -- The attorney for two New York families said their kindergartners were pulled from separate charter schools after being placed on "psychiatric suspensions."

Attorney Nelson Mar said Brianna Pena, 5, was placed on one of the "psychiatric suspensions" on the first day of her transfer to Harriet Tubman Charter School when officials deemed her to be too troubled for the facility, the New York Daily News reported Tuesday.

"Nobody cares about me," the girl was reported to have repeatedly shouted during class. She also allegedly threw chairs during the incident.

Relatives said the girl was likely anxious about it being her first day at a new school where she didn't have any friends. However, officials required her to receive "psychological clearance" before returning to the school.

Mar said Christian Charriez, 6, was removed from South Bronx Classical Charter School in a separate incident after being suspended four times. The attorney said the family was told the final time that he would not be allowed back into the school until he received a psychiatric analysis and diagnosis.

The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights is investigating the Charriez case, Mar said.