As reported in the Indystar.com
FISHERS, Ind. -- The mother of a high school freshman who killed himself last year has filed a lawsuit in federal court against Hamilton Southeastern Schools -- accusing the district and its employees of not doing enough to stop bullying incidents which, she says, led to suicide.
Natalie Moore alleges teachers and administrators at both HSE Junior High and HSE High School ignored reports that her son, Jamarcus Bell, suffered racially-based bullying and harassment for "perceived homosexuality and emotional disability."
According to the lawsuit, filed Nov. 21 in the U.S. District Court in Indianapolis, the African-American student was the victim of "constant and ruthless harassment and bullying from other students" who allegedly threw pieces of metal at him during a welding class, stole his shoes, his clothing, had his book bag dumped and was physically assaulted in hallways and classrooms.
Bell, who had survived an earlier attempt to hang himself at school in a janitor's closet at the junior high, ultimately ended his own life on Oct. 20, 2010, at his mother's home during fall break.
The lawsuit hinges on what Moore 's lawyers -- Delk McNally, LLP of Muncie -- say was the inaction of school officials to respond to the bullying that was taking place in the months leading up to the suicide.
"Administrators, teachers and staff members of HSE knew of should have known of these incidents," the lawsuit says.
The suit does not specify a monetary amount in damages sought.
HSE School officials could not be immediately reached for comment this morning.
Call Star reporter Dan McFeely at (317) 444-6253
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