A child is suing the Claremont Unified School District (CUSD) for allegations that district and school officials failed to protect him from violent attacks carried out by fellow intermediate school students, forcing his mother to ultimately withdraw him from the school in order to protect him, as reported by CBS News.
The Los Angeles Superior Court lawsuit was brought on the minor's behalf by his mother and alleges assault and battery, dangerous condition of public property, negligent supervision, and negligent hiring, training, and retention. The plaintiff seeks unspecified compensatory and punitive damages, according to San Gabriel Valley Tribune.
The CUSD spokeswoman issued a statement, acknowledging the complaint filed on September 11 and reiterating the district's commitment to the safety and well-being of its students. The statement reads, "District policy prioritizes the safety and security of all students and staff," as told to CBS News. The district cannot comment further on the specifics of the case due to it being an ongoing legal matter.
The plaintiff was pushed against a wall, punched, put in a headlock, wrestled to the ground, and pummeled multiple times, as detailed in the suit.
School staff members were seemingly "nowhere to be found" during these incidents, and the plaintiff's mother was not contacted by the school, as reported by San Gabriel Valley Tribune. Moreover, despite the initial attacker being suspended for a week, the suit claims that no other steps were taken to protect the plaintiff from him or the other students who attempted to attack him.
The minor's mother contacted the school several times to request a plan to ensure her son’s safety, but her pleas were allegedly ignored, which led to her withdrawing her son in his eighth-grade year. The suit suggests that other parents have withheld their children from El Roble School, and this negative atmosphere has adversely impacted the quality of education, as students fear attacks.
