A family said it was asked to leave an Outback Steakhouse in Maryland because of a “noise complaint” about their special needs son.
{mosads}Amanda Braun told local outlet WJLA that her family was asked to leave the Glen Burnie establishment last Saturday, shortly after their dinner arrived. A manager approached the family and asked them to leave because he “received a noise complaint” for Braun’s son, Braun wrote in a Facebook post Monday.
Braun said her 4-year-old son, Killian, was making some noise, but added that it wasn’t constant or unusual for his disorder, childhood apraxia of speech, which affects his behavior and communication skills.
“He said that he was very uncomfortable coming to our table to tell us that but unfortunately we needed to finish our meals and leave. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing,” Braun wrote. “I was in total shock!”
Outback Steakhouse said in a statement provided to WJLA that the restaurant had been in contact with the family and apologized.
“We strive to make sure all guests feel comfortable and welcomed in our restaurants and we fell short. We’re learning from what happened and training our team so we can better serve our diverse guest population,” the restaurant wrote.
Outback Steakhouse did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Hill.
Braun told the outlet that the restaurant’s manager gave them a $20 credit to use at a later date, but Braun said “needless to say, there isn’t going to be a later date.”
“Why would I subject my son and the rest of my family to that type of discrimination? What would ever make me want to return? Would we be asked to leave again if my son were to be loud? This is not ok,” she wrote.