Failure to Protect: Guardian Raises Concerns Over School Abuse Investigation

AUSTIN, Texas (TXAN 24) — A guardian of a visually impaired student has called into question the handling of a confirmed abuse allegation at the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (TSBVI), asserting that both the school and the Austin Police Department failed to pursue justice for her child.

The concern centers on Christopher, a student at TSBVI, whose teacher, Mrs. Nyaga, was found to have provided improper care following two separate internal investigations. While allegations of physical abuse were deemed inconclusive, the school confirmed misconduct. Rather than being terminated, Mrs. Nyaga resigned—according to the guardian, this resignation came after she escalated concerns directly to TSBVI supervisor Keri Pierce, which triggered a second investigation.

“I made a cry out to Keri Pierce. That’s what led to the second investigation,” said the guardian. “It wasn’t just the school holding her accountable—it was pressure to act after things were ignored.”

The guardian said she was officially notified of the findings on December 19, 2023, in a conversation with TSBVI General Counsel Jenny Wells, following the conclusion of that second investigation.

“There were prior concerns. The school may have let her go, but Austin PD never brought criminal charges for what she did to Christopher,” said the guardian, who believes law enforcement overlooked key evidence and failed to act in a timely manner.

According to city records, a police report was filed under service request number 23-00248436. The status of that investigation remains unclear. The guardian claims follow-ups with the department yielded few answers, further fueling her frustration with the system.

The school acknowledged its findings in a March 2023 email from Assistant Principal G’Nell Price, who confirmed that while the abuse allegation was inconclusive, “allegations of improper care were confirmed.” TSBVI offered continued counseling support for Christopher and pledged openness to mental health referrals.

But for the guardian, emotional healing is only part of the equation.

“He hasn’t been given justice. It’s not just about firing someone—it’s about protecting kids, holding adults accountable, and giving families closure.”

The incident raises broader questions about oversight within specialized education facilities, particularly those serving students with disabilities. Advocates argue that these schools must enforce higher standards of transparency and collaborate more rigorously with local authorities to safeguard their students.

A formal records request has been submitted to Austin PD to clarify investigative actions taken in this case. Additionally, a review of prior disciplinary history linked to the teacher is underway to determine whether earlier warnings were missed.

This story remains ongoing.