Family of girl who attempted suicide in CT school and later died alleges bullying role: suit

The parents of an 11-year-old girl who died days after attempting suicide at a Connecticut middle school are suing the town and its Board of Education, arguing that the district’s alleged failure to enforce anti-bullying procedures was a “substantial factor” in their daughter’s death.In a claim filed against the town of West Hartford and the board, Johnny Gaiter and Lisa Thomas allege that West Hartford Public Schools employees were “long aware” that their daughter, Jade Gaiter, had been “subjected to months of bullying at Bristow Middle School” before she attempted to take her own life in a bathroom of the school on Dec. 1, 2021.Gaiter “was kept alive by artificial means for the following 12 days” until she died on Dec. 12, 2021, from “excessive loss of oxygen to her brain, brain swelling and pressure, and asphyxiation,” the lawsuit states.Gaiter’s parents claim that just two weeks before their daughter attempted to take her life, the school’s principal, Chad Ellis, allegedly was aware that “Jade (Gaiter) was told to kill herself” and that Gaiter experienced bullying “including derogatory name calling (and) gay shaming,” according to the complaint filed with Hartford Superior Court.The parents also allege that on Nov. 18, 2021, Assistant Principal Jacqueline Colon violated the Safe School Climate Plan for Anti-Bullying by failing “to document the threats of physical violence to Jade (Gaiter) and/or the name calling and arguments that she was made aware of.”According to the lawsuit, Gaiter’s parents requested that the school “monitor” and “limit” their daughter’s time in the girls’ bathroom “as that was a scene of prior incidents.”However, “after being confronted by one of her bullies,” the complaint alleges that Gaiter, “asked to go to the bathroom and was gone for over ten minutes,” during which time she attempted suicide and “was only discovered by another teacher who happened to be going in to use the girl’s room.”“As a result of being allowed to be alone in the girl’s room for a prolonged period of time, Jade Gaiter lost her chance of survival, as she was deprived of oxygen for too long,” the lawsuit states.In the complaint, Gaiter’s parents claim that the district had knowledge that an alleged bully “was to be kept apart from Jade (Gaiter), including in her classes.” However, the lawsuit states that on the day of Gaiter’s suicide attempt, the student “was indeed placed into Jade (Gaiter)’s” class.The complaint states that Gaiter then “complained of a (stomach ache), made statements that she would not be there in January or February, and shortly thereafter, asked to go to the bathroom.”The lawsuit alleges that district personnel “engaged in gross, reckless, willful and wanton misconduct,” by failing to investigate Gaiter’s bullying allegations, notify staff and parents about the incidents, and to institute remedial measures including discipline and a student safety support plan.“Despite mandatory anti-bullying policies adopted by the Board of Education … school administrators, teachers and counselors, failed to comply with the necessary required procedures to protect Jade (Gaiter) from this ongoing bullying, and to provide her with the emotional support, safety and integration at Bristow,” the lawsuit alleges.The complaint claims that the district’s failure to adhere to its “mandatory obligations … was a substantial factor in causing Jade Gaiter to commit suicide.”According to the lawsuit, Gaiter’s parents are seeking a minimum of $15,000 “exclusive of interest and costs” in monetary damages “for the wrongful death of their daughter” in addition to personal injuries.A trial is slated for February of 2027, according to Connecticut’s judicial website.A lawyer representing Gaiter’s family declined to comment on the pending litigation.West Hartford Public Schools Superintendent Paul Vicinus said in an email to the Courant Wednesday that the district could not speak about ongoing legal matters.In his statement, Vicinus, who assumed the role of superintendent in 2023, said “the death of a child under any circumstance is tragic.”“I join the friends and family of Jade (Gaiter) in mourning her loss,” Vicinus said. “The school district has made counseling services available to those members of our school community who have been impacted by Jade’s death, and anyone struggling emotionally should reach out for assistance.”Police reportsCopies of case reports from the West Hartford Police Department show Gater’s parents’ told police that school administrators were made aware of alleged incidents and statements made to Gaiter.In the reports, the identities of all juveniles involved, including Jade, are redacted from the documents.According to a report from Dec. 1, Gaiter’s father and sister told investigators that an incident between students took place in November 2021.In the report, Gaiter’s father informed Detective Peter Parlos that an unidentified individual told him “that there was going to be drama at school and it may get physical.”Gaiter’s father “stated he went to the school and spoke with (redacted name) and the Principle (sic.),” the report says. Parlos said Gaiter’s father “stated (redacted name) told him and the Principle that (redacted name) was going to fight her.”In another report from December 2021, Parlos interviewed Principal Chad Ellis, who is identified in the documents as C.Parlos wrote Ellis informed him there was “a group of students” who had “been involved in a lot of drama and arguments at the school.”According to the report, Ellis told Parlos he “was aware of mean comments being made between” two unidentified students.“(Ellis) said that during this incident, (redacted name) brought to the school’s attention that (redacted name) had made comments over Snapchat that she was going to fight (redacted name) and that (redacted name) had told (redacted name) that she should kill herself,” Parlos wrote.According to the report, Ellis said he could not view the Snapchat to confirm the unidentified student’s reports.“However, they were able to view (redacted name’s) response to (redacted name). (Ellis) informed me (redacted name) had told (redacted name) to leave (redacted name) alone and that this was what made people hurt themselves,” Parlos wrote.Ellis said the school notified parents about the incident and told an unidentified student “that they could notify the police,” according to the report.Parlos said Ellis informed him “that the school tries their best to keep (redacted name) and (redacted name) separate.”According to the same report, in a different interview with the principal present, an unnamed student said an unidentified classmate made a female classmate cry by calling her pejorative names and “told both herself and (redacted name) to kill themselves.”Parlos wrote that the principal informed him “that the school was notified of this statement on 11/17/21.”In the same report, Parlos said he spoke with Assistant Principal Jacqueline Colon, who is identified in the documents as J.When asked “if the school had anything documented regarding arguments or fights between” the two unidentified students, Parlos said Colon “stated nothing was documented but (redacted name) had reported to the school that (redacted name) called her a (pejorative name) on 11/18/21, during the same incident that the school investigated regarding (redacted name) wanting to fight (redacted name).”“(Colon) stated the school had been focused on the arguments and threats between, (redacted name) and others,” Parlos wrote.According to the report, Colon said she spoke with the mother of one of the unidentified students about the “ongoing arguments and threats allegedly made” and requested she supervise social media accounts.‘A beautiful unique gem’Those who knew and loved Gaiter admired her as a “ray of sunshine” with a “bright smile” who “left her mark on everyone she ever came across” in memorial messages shared after her death.In a virtual fundraiser for funeral costs, Gaiter’s family described her as “a beautiful unique gem” with “a happy, playful and carefree soul.”Gaiter loved to dance, roller skate and have fun with friends, according to her obituary. She adored the time she spent cooking with her mom, crafting sweet treats and “famous smoothies” for friends and family.Gaiter was an honors student, basketball player and track athlete. She played the violin, sang in her church’s choir and hoped to cultivate her drama skills in acting school.Gaiter’s obituary described her as “a leader amongst her friends” who “was the first to stand up for someone being bullied, … the listening ear that many children needed, and the friend who always sought out the right help for someone who didn’t know where to turn.”“Her big heart taught many the lesson of loving unconditionally,” her obituary read.According to data from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, between Jan. 1, 2020, and Dec. 31, 2023, 1,495 people in Connecticut died by suicide — 62 of those deaths were among children and young adults between the ages of 10 and 19.Stephanie Bozak, one of three chairs of the Connecticut Suicide Advisory Board, said that death by suicide is “the second leading cause of death for ages 10 to 34.”In addition to her role on the board, Bozak is a licensed clinical psychologist and behavioral health clinical manager for the Connecticut Department of Children and Families.Bozak stressed that many precipitating factors can trigger a suicide crisis.“It’s so nuanced and there’s a lot of complicating factors,” Bozak said, “But I think when you’re talking about some of the risk factors in general, you’re talking about somebody who may feel really hopeless or isolated or lonely.”Bozak said it is important to recognize warning signs in friends and family. She said indicators can include speaking more about death, suicide, hurting oneself as well as verbalizing feelings of hopelessness or loss of purpose. Bozak said social withdrawal, dramatic shifts in mood and changes in sleep patterns can also indicate distress.Bozak said people should not be afraid to ask questions and provide support when they notice a change in their loved ones.Bozak said resources are available through the Connecticut Suicide Advisory Board and its regional chapters.During a crisis, individuals and families can call Connecticut’s 2-1-1 hotline or call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline 9-8-8. Bozak said mobile crisis intervention services and urgent crisis centers are also available to help residents.“I would urge everyone to reach out because you’re not alone,” Bozak said. “Help is out there.”

Buy cryptocurrency

Source link

Refer And Earn Demat Account – Get ₹300 | Referral Program

Open Demat Account In Angel One For FREE