Palo Alto, CA– A family in the Bay Area claims that their 10-year-old child has suffered from ongoing abuse. A 10-year-old Black student is at the center of several reported incidents.
While his identity remains confidential, advocates addressed the situation on Wednesday, representing the boy and his family.
“We are speaking out today to address the harsh bias, abuse and discriminatory treatment our child has endured at the hands of the Palo Alto Union (Sic) School District,” said Raymond Goins with the San Jose NAACP, who read a statement from the family.
Several of the claims arise from an after-school initiative the boy participated in, known as “Right At School,” which collaborates with the district.
An incident reportedly took place in January during the after-hours program at Escondido Elementary when the boy was nine years old.
“An individual staff member allowed other children, or directed other children to kick our claimant in the genitals, and also locked him up, as was stated earlier, for 15 minutes in a closet as a joke,” said attorney Jim Quadra, who is representing the family.
The school district and Right At School have confirmed that the employee in question was promptly terminated.
An arrest warrant has been shared by the Santa Clara County District Attorney with ABC7 for a worker facing serious charges, including causing or permitting a child to suffer, inflicting pain or suffering on a child, and felony false imprisonment.
Attorneys report that the young boy has faced ongoing harassment and has recently shared suicidal thoughts with a school psychologist.
“The school dismissed it as a joke. Did not report it to the parents,” Quadra said.
Sean Allen, the newly elected president of the San Jose NAACP, asserts that the district has a longstanding history of discrimination.
“We have several instances within this school district where people of color, children of color have been referred to in derogatory terms of referencing their color. And there’s actually no discipline,” he said.
Lawyers report that the parents have taken their son out of Escondido Elementary and are preparing to file claims against the district, which is a required step prior to pursuing a lawsuit.
“I think we’re gonna be in court demanding that not only that the claimant be, that his damages be handled, but also that change be effective for other children,” Quadro said.
Quadro stated that the district is required by law to respond to the claims within 45 days before any lawsuit can be initiated.