14.07.2026 19:11
Teacher S.P.C., who is on trial for allegedly using violence against 5-year-old autistic child K.Y. in Mersin, requested his release in court, stating, "I never intended to cause harm." The mother, Sermin Y., outraged by his defense, demanded the harshest punishment, saying, "When I saw those scratches on his neck, I was certain he had been subjected to violence." The court ruled to extend the teacher's detention.
Teacher S.P.C., who is on trial for applying violence to K.Y. (5), an autistic child in Mersin, requested her release in court, stating, "I never had any intention to harm." Mother Sermin Y., outraged by the defendant's defense, said, "When I saw those scratches on his neck, I was sure he had been subjected to violence," and demanded the harshest punishment. The court decided to continue the teacher's detention.
"I AM FACING SUCH A SITUATION FOR THE FIRST TIME"
At the hearing held at Mersin 25th Criminal Court of First Instance, defendant S.P.C., arrested on charges of applying violence to K.Y., who was diagnosed with atypical autism on April 21, attended. Given the floor, teacher S.P.C., who requested her release, defended herself with these words:
"Throughout my professional career, I have educated hundreds of children. I never had any intention to harm a person or an animal. I have never experienced any problems until today. I am facing such a situation for the first time. I want to continue my profession properly."
THE GRIEVING MOTHER'S CRY: "I STILL CANNOT WATCH THOSE RECORDINGS"
Mother Sermin Y., who took the floor after the defendant teacher's defense denying the accusations, tearfully recounted the trauma. Stating that her child's psychology has been disturbed for 1.5 years, the mother said:
"I still cannot watch those camera recordings. My child is still restless, his psychology has been disturbed for 1.5 years. When I saw those scratches on his neck, I was sure he had been subjected to violence. I want the defendant to receive the harshest punishment."
Father Bahaattin Y. also reiterated that their child was beaten and demanded the defendant be punished.
DETENTION TO CONTINUE
The court judge, reporting that the expert report analyzing the security camera footage of the institution related to the incident has not yet been completed, decided to continue the detention of defendant S.P.C. and adjourned the hearing to address the deficiencies.
"SOCIETY'S CONSCIENCE HAS BEEN DEEPLY WOUNDED"
After the hearing, K.Y.'s family and the plaintiff's lawyers made a press statement in front of the Mersin Courthouse. Family lawyer Selim Can Kayışoğlu stated that this violence at a center entrusted with children with special needs has caused outrage, saying, "The fact that an educator has committed this act against a child with special needs has deeply wounded society's conscience. We will follow the process until the end."
BACKGROUND OF THE INCIDENT
In the incident that occurred on April 21 at the Mersin Metropolitan Municipality Autism Family Counseling Center, teacher S.P.C., who was caught on camera applying violence to 5-year-old K.Y. with atypical autism, was arrested. In the indictment prepared by the Mersin Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, a prison sentence of up to 2 years and 3 months is sought for the defendant on charges of "intentional injury to a person unable to defend themselves physically or mentally."