Madison East staff member fired after giving student with autism dog food for lunch, leaders call for investigation
Posted: Feb 27, 2026 11:31 AM CST
CBS 58 MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A presser was held in Madison Friday, demanding answers after Madison East freshman Jaden Hawkes, who has autism and is non-verbal, was given a can of wet dog food as a replacement for school lunch.
Community leaders are now calling on the Madison Police Department to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident.
"How many more incidents of mistreatment has happened towards disabled students?" Rep. Stubbs asked. "For Jaden and for all the other students in our community, especially those who cannot speak, who are non-verbal, we demand action and we demand actions right now."
Staff has since told Jaden's mother that the person who gave Jaden the dog food has been fired.
