ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) - The mother of a St. Joseph public school student says in in a lawsuit that the district did not help her daughter when she was being bullied by classmates.
Frances Keitz contends the bullying included death threats and physical and verbal abuse against her daughter, who is suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.
The St. Joseph News-Press reports Keitz alleges students at Skaith Elementary School pulled her daughter's hair around her throat to choke her, told her to hang herself, threatened to kill her and kicked her in the head.
Keitz says she repeatedly asked district administrators to protect her daughter but they did nothing.
The alleged abuse occurred during the 2015-16 school year.
Statement from the St. Joseph School District:
“The concerns that are raised in this lawsuit were investigated and addressed, but we are unable to discuss specific disciplinary action taken against any student,” said Dr. Robert Newhart, SJSD superintendent. “Additionally, with respect to the claims in the lawsuit, we can’t respond without potentially violating the privacy rights of the student involved in this suit or other students. But, if we could provide additional information, you would know that this lawsuit does not provide a full or accurate account of what has transpired between Frances Keitz and the district. The district has already prevailed once on claims brought by Mrs. Keitz, which is a reminder that there are two sides to every story, and that the allegations of a lawsuit are not proof that anything improper actually occurred.”
© Associated Press
MOST VIEWED STORIES
Holton man killed in Jackson Co crash
Morrill pair arrested on drug, child endangerment charges
Cold case investigation leads to Holton warrant
Effingham owner regains truck following theft, arrest
Horton City Clerk's resignation accepted Monday
Local residents avoid injury in chain reaction crash
Former Kickapoo Tribal chairman arrested
90 mph+ downburst winds blamed for Thursday damage
Winchester native named as Amberwell CEO
Wamego man sentenced in second fentanyl-related death
Mayetta pair arrested on meth, child endangerment charges
Stolen trailer, 4-wheeler, recovered in Atchison
Holton property search concludes with arrest
Juveniles face charges following Atchison break-in
Atchison Co's Oswald named honorary bailiff for KS Court
Two arrested following Friday Jackson Co traffic stop
McLouth man injured in Monday wreck
No injuries in early Sunday morning house fire in Falls City
LATEST STORIES
KS prepares for severe weekend weather
Richardson County Board approves pay raise for dispatchers
NPPD urges farmers to be safe around power lines
Arbor Day proclaimed in Atchison
Former AG Schmidt running for KS' 2nd Congressional District
Doniphan Co Commission approves overlay projects
Holton property search concludes with arrest
Former Kickapoo Tribal chairman arrested