No Charges Filed, But Parents of 1 Girl File Suit Over Ohio School Strip Search
Authorities in Monroe County have decided not to file criminal charges over an incident in which several girls at Trinity Lutheran School reportedly were required to strip to their underwear for a search after $42 went missing.
A female teacher allegedly conducted the search, but “Principal John Hilken was reportedly present during the search of the seventh grade students,” reports the Toledo Blade.
The parents of a 12-year-old girl name Hilken, a teacher and a cafeteria worker are defendants in the state-court civil rights complaint, which also alleges emotional distress, invasion of privacy and false imprisonment.
“It was incredibly embarrassing and emotional turmoil for her,” says attorney Lorin Zaner of Toledo attorney, who represents the family. He says the girl hasn’t returned to the school and is getting counseling.
A senior pastor at the church that runs the school declined to comment about the litigation.
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