Indianapolis, Indiana – A second-grade teacher in Indiana is facing legal action after allegedly promoting and filming a disturbing form of discipline resembling a “fight club” in his classroom. The shocking accusations were brought to light when a 7-year-old boy returned home from George Washington Carver School No. 87, visibly distressed, and recounted instances of abuse, bullying, and harassment. According to the lawsuit filed in Marion County, Indiana, the boy’s mother claims that her concerns were dismissed by both the teacher and school officials. The case, which has sparked a criminal investigation, raises serious questions about the safety and well-being of students in the Indiana school system.
The lawsuit filed against the teacher alleges that the boy was assaulted by his classmates while the teacher filmed at least one of the incidents on his cellphone, seemingly encouraging the violence. The boy’s mother was unaware of the assaults until she inadvertently viewed a video of one such incident on the teacher’s cellphone during a parent-teacher meeting. The video, submitted as evidence in the lawsuit, portrays the boy being repeatedly punched in the face and head by a peer, with the teacher allegedly encouraging the assault.
Catherine Michael, the family’s attorney, expressed the mother’s devastation over the situation, while the Indiana Public Schools spokesperson, Marc Ransford, emphasized that the district does not condone such behavior and takes allegations of abuse and neglect seriously. Upon learning of the teacher’s conduct, the Department of Child Services (DCS) was immediately notified, and the teacher was suspended and removed from the classroom. However, the teacher is no longer employed by the district.
The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office has referred the case to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department for further investigation. The lawsuit names several defendants, including Indiana Public Schools, Superintendent Aleesia Johnson, Principal Mary Kapcoe, Vice Principal Finae Rent, behavioral consultant Anthony Bigby, substitute teacher Pardeep Dahliwal, and teacher Julious Johnican.
The lawsuit accuses Johnican of instigating at least three beatings and various forms of physical harm and bullying over a three-month period, allegedly for his amusement or as a twisted form of discipline. Court documents reveal that the boy, identified as O.D., was thrown to the ground, struck, slapped, and repeatedly hit in the head in at least three separate assaults.
Furthermore, the lawsuit alleges that another teacher in the classroom referred to special needs students as “demonically possessed,” and staff members told the boy he was “bad” and “needed to be baptized” to rid himself of evil. The mother’s concerns were dismissed as behavioral issues, and the boy’s disruptive behavior was attributed to a disordered personality related to his ADHD.
The mother reported the incidents to the school and initiated a police investigation, also involving the Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS). The DCS investigation revealed that the behavioral consultant, who was a mandatory reporter, failed to report the abuse to DCS or school administration, despite the boy reporting the incidents to him.
The allegations against this Indiana teacher and the negligence of school officials and staff raise serious concerns about the safety and well-being of students. As the investigation moves forward, it is essential to ensure that every child’s rights are protected and that necessary steps are taken to prevent any similar incidents from occurring in the future.