A Las Vegas mother has filed a lawsuit against the Clark County School District, claiming school surveillance video shows a teacher's aide using force on her 10-year-old son with autism at Red Rock Elementary. The family says the encounter left the boy physically and emotionally harmed and is seeking damages from the district.
The complaint, filed by Yazmina Ruiz, states that footage from April 24 shows the aide throwing dirt at the boy, rubbing it into his hair, wrestling him and slamming him into the ground. Ruiz is asking for more than $15,000 in damages, according to 8 News Now, which also reported that the district declined to comment on the pending litigation.
Earlier this spring, CCSD police arrested a 31-year-old specialized programs teacher assistant in connection with the incident. KTNV reported the aide was booked on child-abuse and battery allegations and placed on unpaid leave under the district's bargaining agreement, while FOX5 noted the district took immediate personnel action as investigators reviewed the case.
The family's attorney, Andre Lagomarsino, told 8 News Now that prosecutors made a mistake by not filing criminal charges against the aide. He also alleged that a supervising teacher allowed the alleged attack to occur. According to the complaint, Ruiz has since transferred her son from Red Rock to another CCSD school.
Legal Status And Next Steps
Prosecutors ultimately opted not to pursue criminal charges earlier this year, according to court information reported by KTNV. With the criminal case off the table, the civil suit now becomes the main venue for the dispute, as the family seeks monetary damages and records about how the district handled the incident.
District History And Community Reaction
The lawsuit lands amid ongoing scrutiny of CCSD's special-education oversight. The Las Vegas Review-Journal has documented prior federal rulings and lawsuits tied to the district's special-education program. The April arrest at Red Rock also sparked broader questions about staff oversight and student safety.
As of now, the district has not filed a public response in the court record. We will continue to track new filings and report updates as the case moves forward.
