Amber Escamilla, 46, is a former teacher in Waco, McLennan County, Texas, United States. The city is home to Bell’s Hill Elementary School, Texas Christian Academy, Bishop Louis Reicher Catholic School, Baylor University, McLennan Community College and the Texas State Technical College of Waco.
Waco is around 102 miles way from Austin, Texas. The latter is home to the Texas Health and Human Services, which has a children’s autism program that aims to help improve the quality of life for children on the autism spectrum and their families.
Amber Escamilla
Escamilla is a 10-year teaching veteran. In 2024, she moved to Waco with her family and joined Bell’s Hill Elementary School as a faculty member.
While working at the school, Escamilla allegedly used an electronic dog whistle to help control a boy, 6, with autism when he got overstimulated. His parents told detectives that he is sensitive to sounds so they provided earmuffs for him to wear at school.
In September 2024, Escamilla used the whistle to gain compliance of the boy with autism, according to a witness. He covered his ears and pleaded for her to stop, the witness added.
In November 2024, the whistle was confiscated from Escamilla by Bell’s Hill Elementary School principal Kristie Ingram. On April 23, 2025, detectives met with the principal.
When detectives talked to Escamilla, she told them se bought the whistle for the purpose of outside playground use and she used it only one time on the playground. She said she would only exhibit the whistle to the boy with autism as a threat to gain compliance.
On April 29, 2025, Escamilla was arrested. She was charged with causing injury to a child or disabled person, which is a third-degree felony.
If found guilty, Escamilla may spend up to 10 years in prison. She is no longer employed by the Waco Independent School District, which serves Beverly Hills, McLennan County and most of Waco.
CONAN Daily 