The mother of a 7-year-old autistic boy said he was Baker Acted and put in handcuffs for more than an hour while being transported to a psychiatric facility.

She is filing a complaint with the school district and has contacted an attorney about how her child's case was handled.

Allen Butler is a student at Calusa Elementary School in New Port Richey.

"He's a really bright, intelligent little boy with a lot of emotional issues and also medical issues," said his mother, Sande Butler.

Recently, Allen's mother said another child stepped on his lunch at school and a teacher threw it away. The mother also said the teacher didn't give him more food.

A couple hours later, Sande Butler said, Allen was hungry and got angry. She said he kicked the teacher and did point a pencil at her.

"A sheriff was there from the high school and Baker Acted him, put him on his stomach with his hands handcuffed behind his back," said Sande Butler.

Allen Butler was taken to North Bay Recovery center where a doctor noted he was "calm and collected" and soon released him.

Allen Butler is a student at Calusa Elementary School in New Port Richey.

The child's mother calls the experience "traumatic".

"He's scared. He's scared to sleep in his own bed. He's scared every time he sees a sheriff, he thinks they're going to take him," she said.

Allen's mother said proper protocol for her son wasn't followed.

She said because of a shunt in his brain, Allen should have been taken to a hospital before the psychiatric unit.

"If his attitude or mood changes quickly, there could be something wrong with the shunt and it's causing pressure on the brain," said Sande Butler.

Butler has contacted an attorney who is considering legal action.

"At the end of the day, Allen is a 7 year old child with special needs and the question is, is the school properly equipped to handle these special needs," said Nicolette Nicoletti, the attorney.

Sande Butler's has taken her son out of school and is trying to get him enrolled in an alternative program where he can be educated at home.

Bay News 9 contacted Pasco County Schools for a response.

A spokeswoman told us they can't comment due to confidentiality and under their attorney's advisement.