Americans for Autism Advocacy Calls for Action Following Guiding Hands Trial Sentencing Delay

MADISON, WIS. – Americans for Autism Advocacy (AFAA) responds to the recent postponement of the sentencing hearing in the Guiding Hands trial, where Judge Mark Ralphs of El Dorado County signaled a potential rejection of plea deals for three staffers involved in the 2018 death of 13-year-old Max Benson due to prone restraint. The hearing, originally scheduled for June 16, 2025, has been rescheduled to August 8, 2025, as reported by The Sacramento Bee.

“Judge Mark Ralphs’ decision to postpone sentencing in the Guiding Hands School case underscores the critical need to address seclusion and restraint practices in schools,” said Americans for Autism President Kyle Maichle. “This dangerous trend of increasing seclusion and restraint incidents is seen across the country, with some states reporting double-digit increases. Congress and state legislatures across the country must act swiftly to ensure every special education student can learn in a safe environment. This can be achieved by promoting more humane tactics, such as the Gracie Safe Wrap technique, and by ensuring states ban prone restraint by closing loopholes already in law. Judge Ralphs’ potential rejection of the three defendants’ plea deals in the Guiding Hands School case underscores the need for schools to address this issue with greater seriousness. Elected officials need to put partisanship aside and put student safety first.”