School Staffer Caught Feeding Nonverbal Teen ‘Dog Food’

A Wisconsin high school is under investigation after a shocking allegation that a nonverbal student was fed canned dog food by a staff member.

Police in Madison say the disturbing incident allegedly happened on February 13 at Madison East High School — but it wasn’t reported until the teen’s parents contacted authorities on February 24.

Now, both the Madison Police Department’s Special Victims Unit and the Madison Metropolitan School District are investigating what really happened inside the school.

According to officials, the student — who is nonverbal — was allegedly given wet dog food by a staff member during the school day. The employee in question has since been placed on leave.

In a statement, the district said it has “zero tolerance for actions that compromise student safety and well-being,” adding that while it must follow due process, it takes the matter seriously.

Because of privacy laws, the district says it cannot release further details. However, administrators confirmed they are reviewing staff procedures and snack protocols and plan to provide additional training to prevent anything like this from happening again.

But for the student’s family, the damage may already be done.

Debra Hawkes, the boy’s mother, told local outlets that her son Jaden, a freshman at the school, was given a can of wet Nutrish dog food by a staff member in mid-February. She says staff even showed her a photo indicating he had eaten part of it.

“His appetite changed, his attitude changed — it impacted him,” she said. “I know something happened. He just can’t say it.”

Hawkes described feeling devastated when she learned what allegedly occurred.

“I was mad. I was sad. My heart was breaking. I was mad at everybody,” she said.

Police say the investigation is ongoing.

For now, many parents are left asking how something like this could happen — and whether enough safeguards are truly in place to protect vulnerable students.