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The parents of a Perry Meridian High School student who was attacked at school last week are accusing the school district of failing to adequately protect their child and are demanding stricter security measures.
The student suffered severe head and facial injuries following the allegedly unprovoked attack on Thursday, September 12, and required emergency medical treatment.
The family and the student are represented by attorneys Catherine Michael and Tammy Meyer. In a press release on Monday, the two said the family is demanding urgent action from the school because they believe it does not provide a safe learning environment.
“Our client’s son was not only the victim of a provoked and brutal attack – he is also the victim of the school’s failure to protect him,” Michael said. “When parents send their children to school, they have a legitimate expectation that the school will take all necessary measures to ensure their safety. That trust has been shattered.”
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The lawyers did not disclose the student’s age, name or family name.
Perry Township Communications Director Elizabeth Choi told IndyStar that “within seconds of the incident,” a Perry Township police officer and school staff responded and arrested a suspect. Police reports say the suspect is a 15-year-old boy.
“We are appalled by the attack by a fellow student on a student at Perry Meridian High School,” Choi said in an emailed statement. “No student or person should be subjected to violence.”
The school district said this was an isolated incident and could not provide further details, but said it would follow the disciplinary measures outlined in the student handbook.
Choi also said that only Perry Township police officers responded to the incident.
The father of the attacked student said his son’s face was swollen, his cheek was slashed and he had severe head injuries that would take a long time to recover from.
“His long road to recovery, both physically and emotionally, weighs heavily on our hearts and we wonder how this could have happened in a place that was supposed to protect him,” the father is quoted as saying in the press release.
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The family and their lawyers are demanding that the Perry community make changes such as stricter anti-bullying policies, better training for staff in dealing with violence and increased supervision throughout the school grounds.
The family’s lawyers also said they are exploring legal options.
Contact IndyStar reporter Caroline Beck at 317-618-5807 or [email protected]Follow her on Twitter (X): @CarolineB_Indy.
