A Federal Jury Orders the Chicago Board of Education to Pay $750,000 to the Family of a Child Beaten in a CPS School

A Devastating Incident

A federal jury has ordered the Chicago Board of Education to pay $750,000 to the family of a child who was brutally beaten in a CPS school in September 2018. The jury reached the decision after deliberating for over four hours.

The Lawsuit

The lawsuit was filed by Asia Gaines, the mother of the 9-year-old child who was beaten. According to the lawsuit, the child’s homeroom teacher, Kristen Haynes, arranged for her friend, Juanita Taylor, to come to the school to discipline him.

The Beating

The lawsuit alleged that Taylor whipped the child with belts in a bathroom at George W. Tilton Elementary School on Chicago’s West Side. The child was 9 years old at the time of the incident.

Who Was Involved?

Taylor was an estranged relative of the child’s father, but was a stranger to the child himself. Haynes, the child’s homeroom teacher, was known as the school’s disciplinarian throughout her 15 years of teaching. She had two adult-sized leather belts, known to students as “Mr. Brown” and “Mr. Black,” which she used to discipline students.

Criminal Trial

Taylor was found guilty of domestic battery in a 2020 criminal trial, while Haynes was acquitted of battery and child endangerment. Haynes was dismissed from her teaching position following the incident.

Jury Verdict

On Wednesday, the jury found Taylor, Haynes, and the Chicago Board of Education liable for the pain and post-traumatic stress the child experienced as a result of the incident. The jury awarded the family $750,000 in damages.

Conclusion

The verdict in this case is a reminder of the importance of protecting the rights and well-being of children in our schools. The beating of this 9-year-old child was a horrific incident that had a lasting impact on him and his family. The jury’s decision holds the Chicago Board of Education accountable for its role in the incident and sends a strong message that the safety and well-being of children must be prioritized at all times.

FAQs

Q: Who was involved in the incident?
A: The incident involved Kristen Haynes, the child’s homeroom teacher, and Juanita Taylor, a friend of Haynes who was brought in to discipline the child.

Q: What happened during the incident?
A: Taylor whipped the child with belts in a bathroom at George W. Tilton Elementary School.

Q: Who was found liable for the incident?
A: The jury found Taylor, Haynes, and the Chicago Board of Education liable for the pain and post-traumatic stress the child experienced as a result of the incident.

Q: What was the outcome of the criminal trial?
A: Taylor was found guilty of domestic battery, while Haynes was acquitted of battery and child endangerment.

Q: What is the significance of the jury’s decision?
A: The jury’s decision holds the Chicago Board of Education accountable for its role in the incident and sends a strong message that the safety and well-being of children must be prioritized at all times.