A Disturbing Pattern of Abuse at a Chicago Elementary School
A lawsuit has been filed alleging a long history of sexual, verbal, and racist abuse at a Chicago elementary school. The case involves a young student who claims she was traumatized by both classmates and staff, leading to severe emotional distress and even suicidal thoughts.
The alleged incidents took place over several years at Wildwood IB World Magnet School, located at 6950 N. Hiawatha Ave., on the city’s Far Northwest Side. The victim, who was just 10 years old when the abuse began, is now 13 years old. According to the lawsuit, the abuse was so extreme that it led to serious mental health issues, including hospitalization due to suicidal ideation.
The mother of the girl, Sherron Hinton, has taken legal action against Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and several individual teachers. She claims that despite multiple attempts to address the situation, the abuse continued and even worsened over time.
“My daughter didn’t just fall through the cracks, she was placed in them,” Hinton said. She described how her daughter, identified as “Jenny Doe” in the legal filing, faced discrimination, verbal abuse, and physical harm from students and even some teachers.
According to attorney Cass Casper, the bullying was particularly severe because Jenny was the only Black student in her class. “Jenny reports students are calling her fat, ugly, shaped like an egg, shaped like a football,” Casper said. “This is race-based.”
The lawsuit details a pattern of harassment that included racial slurs, physical attacks, and inappropriate behavior from staff members. One teacher allegedly rubbed up against Jenny inappropriately, while another reportedly hit her with a clipboard or a rolled-up paper.
The school district has not publicly commented on the allegations, but a spokesperson for CPS stated, “Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is committed to the safety and well-being of our students. The District does not provide comment on pending litigation.”
Hinton says she repeatedly sought help from the school, but the abuse continued. “We didn’t ask for special treatment, just basic protection,” she said. “But even that was too much to expect for a Black child in a white school.”
Her attorneys have also filed a police report against two of the teachers named in the lawsuit. However, Hinton has not yet decided where her daughter will attend school next year for 8th grade.
In addition to seeking justice for her daughter, Hinton’s legal team is asking for specific actions to be taken by CPS. These include mandatory training for students at Wildwood school and the establishment of an office to investigate bullying cases.
The case highlights broader concerns about the treatment of minority students in predominantly white schools. It also raises questions about the effectiveness of current policies and procedures for addressing harassment and abuse within the education system.
As the legal process unfolds, the story of “Jenny Doe” serves as a stark reminder of the need for stronger protections for vulnerable students and a more inclusive environment in schools across the country.
