The controversy erupted after concerned mother Ana Bate found out from her son that Mint Valley Elementary School in Longview, Washington was using a padded isolation chamber to deal with students with “behavioral disabilities”. Bate obtained photos of the isolation box and posted them on Facebook, prompting outrage and interest from local media.

The school claims the isolation box is a “therapeutic booth” and that only children with special needs and parental permission are placed inside. However, Candace Dawson told KATU.com that her son was put inside the booth without her permission.

“He said that’s the naughty room,” Dawson told KATU News. “That’s what he called it. He said when kids are naughty they get put in there.” Dawson filed a formal complaint yesterday.

KATU also received a separate letter from another mother saying her child was also put inside the box without her permission.