Tragically, just before his untimely passing at the age of 11, Joshua Sikes, a young boy with autism, expressed a poignant final wish. Joshua passed away in November 2024, succumbing to brain death caused by head trauma suffered in the classroom.
Days prior to his death, Joshua’s mother, Julie Xirau, alleged that her son had been confined and restrained in a makeshift classroom enclosure constructed with bookcases, bookshelves, and heavy-duty straps. Julie claimed that staff at Southeastern Cooperative Educational Programs (SECEP) did not intervene while Joshua exhibited distressing behavior.
On the evening of Halloween, Joshua, eager to go trick-or-treating, was prohibited from doing so, leading to disappointment. Due to his communication challenges, Joshua could not articulate the mistreatment he endured. Subsequently, his health deteriorated, prompting Julie to seek medical attention, but tragically, Joshua passed away in his sleep on November 3.
Julie is now seeking $150 million in damages from SECEP and its staff for alleged negligence. Despite investigations finding no evidence of staff fault, Julie’s lawsuit contends that the school failed to address Joshua’s injuries adequately. A heartfelt obituary commemorates Joshua’s vibrant spirit and creative nature, highlighting the joy he brought to those around him.
The Mirror has contacted SECEP for comments on the matter.