Chicago, IL – A Chicago family has been awarded $750,000 in damages after their child was subjected to a brutal beating at school, which a federal jury found was exacerbated by negligent behavior from educational officials. The conclusion of this contentious civil trial brings to close a case that began with a disturbing 2018 incident at Tilton Elementary School, involing Jomaury Champ, a then 9-year-old student with ADHD.
Champ’s ordeal started when his fourth-grade homeroom teacher, Kristen Haynes, permitted Juanita Tyler, a non-employee of Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and an estranged relative unfamiliar to the boy, to enter the school and participate in disciplining him. The encounter unfolded in a school bathroom where Tyler administered a violent beating with two belts previously stored in Haynes’ classroom.
The decision rendered late Wednesday addressed the roles both Haynes and Tyler, as well as the Chicago Board of Education, had in the psychological and physical harm inflicted on Champ. According to trial testimonies, the trauma from the assault led to Champ’s hospitalization on two occasions and an exacerbated state of ADHD coupled with newly diagnosed post-traumatic stress disorder impacting his life even years after the assault.
During the legal proceedings, attorneys for Haynes and the Chicago Board of Education tried to distance themselves from Tyler’s actions. Thomas O’Carroll, defending Haynes, described the belts found in the classroom as a deterrent, not intended for use, and suggested a mere $48,000 in damages, likening it to a community college scholarship. Meanwhile, Board of Education attorney Brian Kolp stressed that corporal punishment was not endorsed by CPS, arguing against the district’s culpability in the matter.
Opposing counsel, Al Hofeld Jr., representing the Champ family, painted a starkly different picture, decrying the use of violence in school settings and describing the attack as a day of “pure psychological terror” for Champ. Julia Rickert, co-counsel for Champ, revealed communications that suggested a premeditated element to the choice of Tyler as the enforcer, exacerbating the sense of betrayal and premeditation in the case.
At the trial’s conclusion, jurors sided decisively with Champ, attributing conspiracy and infliction of emotional distress to the defendants. The verdict also mandated that CPS cover the legal costs incurred by Champ’s family since the initiation of the lawsuit in February 2019.
Throughout the multi-year legal battle, settlement discussions were attempted but ultimately failed, leading to a protracted court experience. CPS, reacting to the jury’s decision, hinted at a potential appeal, maintaining that their policies and staff training emphasize student safety and security.
In an emotional statement following the verdict, Hofeld Jr. reflected on the lengthy duration of the case and the recurrent challenges faced by the family. Expressing relief and a measure of justice obtained, he underscored the significance of the outcome, not only in terms of financial compensation but also in terms of the broader implications for school district accountability.
By ensuring financial restitution and formal acknowledgment of the misconduct, the jury’s decision marks an important moment in advocating for safer educational environments and underscores the critical need for vigilance and adequate oversight in schools to protect vulnerable children. The outcome of this case may well prompt a reevaluation of current practices and personnel policies within the Chicago Public Schools system and beyond.