Oklahoma City Teacher Apprehended And Accused Of Abusing Autistic Student

An Oklahoma City special education teacher has been arrested and accused of abusing a 6-year-old nonverbal autistic student.

The Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office reports that on Thursday, October 9, Council Grove Elementary School administrators reported that special education instructor Rodrick Kohl reportedly threw a computer mouse at the 6-year-old child, striking him in the head.

He was also reported to have struck the child in the leg with a rubber spoon.

Western Heights Public Schools administrators announced on Facebook that Kohl had been placed on leave.

Dear Western Heights Families,

We want to inform you about a serious situation that recently occurred at Council Grove Elementary involving allegations of abuse by a staff member. On October 9, 2025, district administrators were notified of suspected abuse involving a teacher and a student.

Immediately upon receiving this information, the teacher was placed on leave, and law enforcement, DHS, and the Oklahoma State Department of Education were contacted. We also notified the student’s family and the families of all students in that classroom. Law enforcement has since taken appropriate action, and we continue to cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation.

We want to assure you that Western Heights Public Schools takes the safety and well-being of our students extremely seriously. Abuse of any kind will not be tolerated in our district. We acted swiftly and transparently to address the situation, and we remain committed to maintaining a safe environment for every child.

We understand that news like this can be unsettling for families. If you have questions or concerns, we encourage you to contact the district office at 405-350-3410. Our school counselors are also available to support any students who may need additional assistance.

Thank you for your trust and partnership as we work together to protect and support our students.

Western Heights Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Brayden Savage