NW Ind. school denies negligence over bullying

ST. JOHN, Ind. — A northwestern Indiana school district is denying a lawsuit’s claims that administrators failed to protect a 17-year-old student from prolonged bullying over his Middle Eastern background.

Attorney Michael Sears says he’s confident that Lake Central High School officials weren’t negligent and didn’t violate the civil rights of student David Haddad.

The teen’s Jordanian parents sued the district this week, saying officials didn’t stop bullying that culminated with a Nov. 8 beating in a school hallway that left him with vision and balance troubles.

The Post-Tribune of Merrillville reports that school officials told a Lake County judge Wednesday that an 18-year-old student has been suspended in connection with the attack. St. John police have recommended that misdemeanor battery charges be filed against that teenager.