A Hamilton County family has filed a lawsuit against the Catholic Diocese of Lafayette and several school administrators, alleging that a local Catholic grade school failed to protect their young son from repeated bullying, assault, and sexual harassment.

Allegations of Abuse and Neglect

The lawsuit claims that the boy, a seventh grader at Our Lady of Mount Carmel, suffered abuse at the hands of his fellow students, including being called homophobic slurs and having his underwear pulled down in front of his entire gym class. The family alleges that the school was notified of the bullying and failed to address it, which resulted in escalation.

Attorneys representing the child’s family describe how the harassment began in 2024 and intensified over time, with the boy being kicked in the knees at recess and his underwear being pulled down in front of his entire gym class. The lawsuit also claims that the alleged bullies made graphic sexual comments about the victim’s young sister, including threats to harm her.

The family claims that the school offered several explanations for the reported abuse, including that the students were “joking around” and that the physical abuse was “merely horseplay.” The lawsuit alleges that the Diocese has since allowed the alleged harassers to attend Guerin Catholic High School, forcing their son to attend a different school at a “substantially greater cost” than expected.

Call for Accountability

Attorney Tammy Meyer of Metzger Rosta LLP, who is representing the family, stated that “a school that promises parents a safe, faith-based environment has a duty to deliver one.” The family is seeking compensatory and punitive damages, as well as the cost of court fees.

Original reporting: 93.1 WIBC (Indianapolis) — read the source article.