MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – A local student’s family is upset after a boy with autism left his prom because administrators would not allow his sister to enter as his date.

19-year-old Jayce Whisenhunt is a special needs student at Montgomery Central High School (MCHS). Jayce suffers from autism, ADHD, a learning disability, and hearing loss. His father, Tone Whisenhunt (AKA DJ Cricket), said Jayce was excited to attend the prom Saturday with his 24-year-old sister, Jessica Helling, who is a former MCHS student.

Whisenhunt said Jayce has been bullied all through school and wanted to have his sister with him to avoid any potential bullying during the prom. He wanted his sister to be there for support. “My son has no friends. He had no one to invite to the prom, and kids only get one prom,” Whisenhunt said.

However, when the two showed up on Saturday, Helling was told she was not welcome, but Jayce could go in on his own. The family said the two left in tears.

Elise Shelton, spokesperson for the Montgomery County School System, said there are policies in place regarding guests at prom. No one over the age of 20 is permitted to attend. She said prom information was sent to parents prior to the event, and that anyone who plans to bring a date that does not attend the school is required to submit information about the guest so the school system can perform a background check.

“You don’t want people coming in who might have some kind of criminal record,” Shelton said.

Whisenhunt told ClarksvilleNow.com that he did not receive any paperwork from the school and was unaware of the rules. “I just think they should have some kind of an exception for special needs kids when it comes to their prom,” he said. “Where was the protection when he was getting bullied all through school, but they want to protect him at a prom?”

Shelton said the school never received any confirmation from the family about whether Jayce or any guests would be attending. She said a teacher texted Whisenhunt to find out if Jayce would be attending, but said the teacher was not texted back. However, Whisenhunt said he did text the teacher to say Jayce would attend.

After Helling was turned away, Jayce did not want to go into his prom by himself, so they left.

Whisenhunt said his son was very disappointed. He and Helling had practiced dancing for several weeks and a friend had even helped Jayce buy a $400 suit.

The community has rallied around the family after hearing what happened, and a Go Fund Me account titled “Jayce’s Prom” has been established to help pay for a special prom in Jayce’s honor. Family friend Michelle Gordon is helping to organize the event.

“He’s a spectacular kid and has the biggest heart,” Gordon said. “He’s so outgoing and he loves being around people. He’s a great kid.”

The prom will be for all ages. Anyone who wishes to support Jayce and the special needs community can attend. “We want to show him that being excluded the other night really isn’t what this community is about,” Gordon said.

Jayce’s Prom will be held Friday, June 10 from 5-8 p.m. at the Wilma Rudolph Event Center. More information can be found on Facebook.