HUGE misuse of a seat....what to do?

Ok so my 5th grade DD has this group after school. It is a group of friends that help another friend with autism. They do activities once a month.

So last time they went, the teacher my DD rode with had her daughter with her. Her daughter is in 2nd grade. DD tells me that this child was in a car seat. I say like a big seat like a Graco Nautilus or something similar that she would fit in or was she talking a booster? NOPE, she means this seat..... http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5515916 She said her daughter would sit in it, put her arms in the straps (which come up to the outside of her shoulders) and buckle the chest clip and nothing else. Ok so I didn't say anything due to it being her own kid. (I know I should have but I don't know this lady and didn't want her picking on DD)

Well today they had another activity and the teacher put another student in it......A FREAKING FIFTH GRADER! And she put DD in the front which we don't allow. Bailey said she had to because she was the biggest (weighs a whopping 85lbs) DD said the girl she made sit in the seat could barely get her arms in the straps and they only went to her elbows!!!! NOTHING BUCKLED!!! The teacher then had the nerve to say "We don't wanna lose ya Kandi" Yeah like having her arms in straps with no buckles or anything would save ya! I am livid and amazed she is allowed to transport kids without adequate seating.

Sorry so long but what would you do? It is not a school sponsored activity so keep that in mind. She is the special ed teacher so she goes with them as do the parents of the child with autism.

I would never let my child ride with her ever again first-off.

Secondly I'd speak up.

I already told my DD she is not to ride with her again. She can ride with the parents of the boy. Second.....who do I speak up to and what do I say?

I'd speak to her. "I saw you had the three in one seats. I know someone else who has one and I saw the harness only goes to 40 pounds. Did you know that?? The box says 100, so I had always thought that, but it turns out it's just 40! Good thing the kids who ride with you can use it as a booster since they're less than 100 pounds." Not that it's a great booster, but far better than the crap she's pulling.

Depending on your state it may be illegal for her to transport such young kids in the front seat. It is illegal here in WA.

You say this is for a group of kids with autism. Is there a group leader? Someone who coordinates driving and activities? If so I'd talk to that person. This lady should not be transporting anyone, not even her own daughter, at this rate.

I'd also get her plate and call the cops the next time she's going to be transporting kids.

Wendy