Bernalillo, New Mexico – A jury awarded $1.8 million to the family of a Bernalillo High School student after finding that school officials neglected their duty to protect the student from escalating bullying before a violent attack in October 2023. The decision, rendered in Sandoval County’s 13th Judicial District Court, highlights significant failures in adhering to state laws designed to prevent such incidents.
The court’s decision came after Richard and Valerie Ortiz, the parents of the victim, presented substantial evidence demonstrating that school authorities, particularly Principal Alyssa Sanchez-Padilla, were informed of serious threats against their daughter weeks before the incident. These threats, which surfaced through social media and text messages, included violent language and promises of aggression from two other students.
Despite being alerted by the Ortiz family, evidence revealed that Sanchez-Padilla did not initiate any investigations as mandated by New Mexico’s Safe Schools for All Students Act. This legislation requires school officials to investigate bullying reports within two days, inform parents of all parties involved, and create safety support plans for those targeted. Instead of taking appropriate actions, the principal suggested the victim seek protection by walking with male student-athletes.
On October 11, 2023, the situation escalated when an 18-year-old student assaulted the victim in a hallway during school hours. Video evidence presented in court showed the attacker pulling the victim to the ground by her hair and delivering blows to her head while she lost consciousness. Although several employees witnessed the attack, it was a fellow student who eventually intervened to stop the violence.
Following the assault, the victim required medical attention at Sandoval County Regional Medical Center, where she was treated for head and neck injuries. In the aftermath, she faced migraines and post-traumatic stress disorder, which kept her out of school for two months.
In light of the jury’s verdict, Bernalillo Public Schools expressed sympathy for the Ortiz family. JoAnn Beuerle, the district’s communications coordinator, emphasized their commitment to ensuring student safety and acknowledged the seriousness of the jury’s decision. The monetary award will affect the district’s budget and may lead to increased costs for local taxpayers, as it is intended to cover medical expenses and ongoing mental health treatment for the victim.
New Mexico’s Safe Schools for All Students Act, instituted in 2020, establishes critical protocols that schools must follow when reports of bullying arise. These requirements include prompt investigation of incidents, parental notifications, development of safety plans, and maintaining records for at least four years, among other mandates. In 2023, the state allocated $25 million to assist schools in implementing these necessary safety measures.
This case has drawn attention to the pressing need for strict adherence to anti-bullying laws within educational institutions and underscores the responsibility of school officials to create a safe learning environment for all students.
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