Spotswood Schools Failed To Protect Girl Beaten By Fellow Student: Suit

EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ — Parents of a Spotswood High School student filed a lawsuit against the school district claiming they failed to protect the girl who was repeatedly beaten by a fellow student.

The lawsuit was filed on Monday in Middlesex County.

According to the lawsuit, the girl informed the school administration and the local authorities about the attacks, but they did nothing to address the matter. As a result of one of the attacks, the girl suffered a head injury and "lingering physical and mental effects.”

On Sept. 26, 2023, the girl told administrators that threats were being made against her. When she stopped by a local Dunkin after school, she was “violently attacked” by the student, according to the suit.

As a result of the attack, the girl suffered scarring, a closed-head injury, a bloody nose and a gash on her head, which required medical attention. The girl also suffers from recurring headaches and other effects due to the injury, the lawsuit said.

The attack at Dunkin was reported to school administration and the local authorities, but threats continued to be made against the girl, the parents said.

On Feb. 8, the girl was once again attacked by the student who sucker-punched her in the school’s hallway, causing continued closed-head injuries requiring medical attention, the lawsuit said.

“Once again, this attack was reported to school administrators. Furthermore, plaintiff continued to be threatened, which was also reported to school administrators on several occasions, including when a specific threat was made on or about April 22, 2024,” according to the lawsuit.

However, nothing was done to address the threat and the next day the girl was once again attacked and assaulted by the student in the hallway, “causing continued closed-head and other injuries requiring medical attention and care thereafter for lingering physical and mental effects,” the lawsuit said.

According to the parents, the school district knew about the threats but did nothing to prevent them and protect the girl.

“Defendants knew, or should have known, that their failure to exercise due care in regards to plaintiff’s concerns and the duty owed would cause plaintiff extreme and permanent physical and emotional distress,” the lawsuit said.

The lawsuit alleges that the school district “intentionally and recklessly” failed to take any reasonable steps to stop or prevent the assaults, and “intentionally and knowingly” concealed their own bad acts to protect their own reputation.

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