‘It’s unfair;’ Parents still emotional months after DPS employee accused of assaulting child

DAYTON — The man accused of assaulting an autistic 3-year-old in Dayton will not stand trial after being found temporarily incompetent.

News Center 7′s Mike Campbell sat down for an exclusive interview with the child’s parents. Hear from them LIVE on News Center 7 at 5:00.

>> PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Ex-DPS employee seen hitting nonverbal child, picking him up by ankles ruled temporarily incompetent

Darrick Sorrells, 56, was caught on tape pushing Braylen Tootle to the ground at Rosa Parks Early Learning Center and then carrying the child by his ankles.

The incident happened on August 21, and Braylen’s parents didn’t receive the shocking video until three weeks later.

Braylen never returned to the school, and his parents feel like with this latest setback they really haven’t moved forward since then.

“I just think it’s unfair, my feelings were hurt, I found out at work yesterday, crying, everybody had to see me looking crazy,” said Taneshia Lindsay.

>> PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Judge grants competency evaluation for former Dayton Schools employee facing assault charges

“I feel like I was cheated, I don’t wish bad on anyone but I’ve said it before, if I was to hit my own kid, I would be in jail,” said Robert Tootle.

Braylen’s parents don’t understand why Sorrells could be considered incompetent.

They pointed out that the former paraprofessional aide worked 20 years for Dayton Public Schools and the district did not raise any red flags.

“If he’s incompetent how did he write the resignation letter, I don’t get that either, or did he write it, yeah that’s the question,” Robert Tootle said.

>> RELATED: ‘He should have left in handcuffs;’ Family of child hit by DPS employee questions investigation

Sorrell wrote a resignation letter just four days after Braylen’s parents shared the video with News Center 7.

That letter read in part: “I have had a fulfilling experience working at Rosa Parks Early Learning Center but have chosen to leave. I sincerely regret the circumstances of my departure. I apologize for any wrong-doing on my part”

Braylen’s parents simply feel justice had been delayed.

“We still haven’t seen the whole video, I’m going to keep saying it,” Robert Tootle said.

Braylen will turn four soon and his parents are still looking for a new school for him. Not seeing anyone held responsible for what happened is extremely frustrating.

“He’s still 50 years old and he had to know right from wrong and he had to know what he did was wrong,” Lindsay said.

Sorrells will now be directed for continued treatment, counseling, and medication, in an effort to restore him to competency. Everything is expected to be re-evaluated in six months.

News Center 7 will continue updating this story.

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