A Texas teacher faces up to 10 years in prison after authorities arrested her for allegedly using an electronic dog whistle on a 6-year-old autistic student as a cruel method of behavior control.

At a Glance

• Amber Escamilla, 46, a former teacher at Bell’s Hill Elementary School in Waco, was arrested and charged with injury to a child or disabled person, a third-degree felony
• The 6-year-old autistic boy, who was especially sensitive to sounds and wore protective earmuffs at school, reportedly experienced significant distress from the electronic whistle
• School officials confiscated the device after a witness reported seeing the teacher use it in the classroom, contradicting Escamilla’s claim she only used it once outside
• The child would return home crying about what he thought were painful fire alarms, according to statements from his parents
• Waco Independent School District confirmed Escamilla is no longer employed with the district

Teacher Arrested After Using Device on Vulnerable Student

Authorities arrested Amber Escamilla, 46, after allegations emerged that she had been using an electronic dog whistle to control the behavior of a 6-year-old autistic student at Bell’s Hill Elementary School in Waco. The investigation began after Waco Independent School District police received a referral from Child Protective Services regarding possible abuse. Escamilla, who had been teaching for 10 years but was in her first year with Waco ISD, now faces a third-degree felony charge of injury to a child or disabled person, which carries a potential prison sentence of up to 10 years.

A staff member at the school reported that Escamilla was using the high-frequency whistle to control the child’s behavior when he became overstimulated. This was particularly troubling as the child was known to be especially sensitive to sounds, with his parents having provided earmuffs for him to wear at school specifically to protect him from auditory overstimulation.

Principal Intervened After Witnessing Disturbing Behavior

School officials took action in November 2024 when the principal confiscated the electronic whistle from Escamilla. According to police reports, Escamilla claimed she had purchased the device for playground use and had only used it once outside. However, this account contradicted statements from school witnesses who reported seeing her use the whistle inside the classroom, causing obvious distress to the child. One witness specifically observed the child asking Escamilla to stop using the device, highlighting the discomfort and pain it was causing.

“The victim’s mother described how the beginning of last year, the victim would come home and cry about going to school because the fire alarms would hurt his ears.”, The victim’s mother said.

The case took a more serious turn when investigators learned that the young boy’s parents had noticed their son crying after school about what he thought were fire alarms causing him pain. In reality, according to the investigation, these episodes of distress likely coincided with Escamilla’s use of the electronic whistle in the classroom, which would have been particularly harmful given the child’s known sensitivity to loud noises.

District Response and Legal Proceedings

Waco Independent School District has taken a firm stance on the matter, confirming that Escamilla is no longer employed with the district. Her contract was not renewed after less than a year of employment. The district emphasized their commitment to maintaining appropriate educational standards and providing a safe environment for all students, particularly those with special needs.

“The actions under review do not reflect the values or expectations we hold for our staff.” – said the Waco ISD spokeswoman Wendy Sledd.

Following her arrest, Escamilla was held on a $3,000 bond. The district has stated they are cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation. This case highlights growing concerns about how special needs students are treated in educational settings and raises questions about appropriate training and oversight for teachers working with vulnerable populations. School districts nationwide continue to face challenges in ensuring proper accommodations and protections for students with autism and other conditions that require specialized understanding and care.

Parents’ Advocacy Proves Critical

The parents’ attentiveness to their child’s distress signals played a crucial role in bringing this situation to light. When the young boy began regularly returning home upset about painful sounds at school, they connected these complaints to something beyond routine school noises. Their advocacy ultimately led to the investigation that uncovered the alleged misuse of the electronic device. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of parental vigilance and communication with school administrators, especially for children who may have difficulty fully expressing their experiences due to communication challenges associated with autism.