DailyKenn.com — A 7-year-old boy and his mother are suing Indianapolis Public Schools, as well as several staff members, alleging that the second-grader was assaulted by other students while a teacher recorded and encouraged the violence.
The incidents reportedly occurred at George Washington Carver Montessori IPS School 87, situated at 2411 Indianapolis Ave., near Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street and Fall Creek Boulevard.
The lawsuit names IPS, Superintendent Dr. Aleesia Johnson, Principal Mary Kapcoe, Vice Principal Finae Rent, behavioral consultant Anthony Bigby, substitute teacher Pardeep Dahliwal, and teacher Julious Johnican as defendants.
The student has disabilities, including sensory sensitivities, an executive function disorder, and probable learning disabilities, according to the complaint. The boy frequently came home distressed, reporting abuse, bullying, and harassment during class.
The complaint alleges that Johnican organized a "fight club-type" discipline in his classroom over three months, encouraging and recording physical abuse by other students. During a parent-teacher conference on Nov. 1, a video was inadvertently shown where the boy was being attacked by another student. The video reportedly captured Johnican instigating the attack and encouraging the assault.
Tammy Meyer, an attorney representing the family, described the video as shocking, noting Johnican's comments like, "'Are you done yet?' to the attacking child. The distressed boy can be heard saying, "I didn't mess with him," while being hit.
The complaint also mentions two other instances where Johnican allegedly restrained the boy while allowing other students to assault him. Catherine Michael, another attorney for the family, said this seemed to be a disciplinary method in Johnican's classroom.
The boy's mother reported the abuse to school staff multiple times before filing the lawsuit. Johnican reportedly dismissed her concerns, attributing them to the boy's alleged behavioral issues or suggesting he was lying or mentally ill.
The Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS) initiated an investigation after viewing the video. Troy Harris, in charge of human resources for IPS, acknowledged being aware of the video where Johnican recorded and encouraged the altercation without intervening.
Following the incident, the boy has not returned to school and is being homeschooled while receiving counseling for post-traumatic stress disorder.
Johnican has since resigned from George Washington Carver Montessori IPS School 87. An IPS spokesperson confirmed he resigned before facing termination.
The plaintiffs are seeking a jury trial. Meyer stated that criminal charges against Johnican are possible, as charges can sometimes take over a year to be filed.
IPS released a statement emphasizing their zero-tolerance policy for such behavior, stating that DCS was immediately notified, Johnican was removed from the classroom, and he is no longer employed by IPS.
DCS reminded the public of the mandatory reporting law for suspected child abuse and neglect, urging people to report such incidents immediately to the Indiana Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 1-800-800-5556.
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