The parents of an elementary school student have filed a lawsuit claiming a substitute teacher "physically injured and emotionally traumatized" their child in class two years ago.
LODI - The parents of an elementary school student have filed a lawsuit claiming a substitute teacher "physically injured and emotionally traumatized" their child in class two years ago.
The lawsuit claims Principal Christie Vanderhook failed to act on a prior complaint about the substitute teacher. (Google Maps) The boy was 10 when the alleged incident occurred at Wilson Avenue Elementary School, the parents claim in court papers filed Oct. 26 in Bergen County Superior Court.
The suit states a teacher raised concerns about the substitute's treatment of students in an email to Principal Christie Vanderhook prior to the incident, but that nothing was done.
The substitute is identified in court papers as A. Potross.
"Potross had touched (students), squeezed their faces, pulled their ears, tugged their hair, touched them on the back and on their shoulders and had otherwise interacted improperly with the students," the suit states.
The alleged incidents occurred on Oct. 29, 2014, while the child in question was a student in the substitute teacher's class, according to the suit.
In addition to Potross, the parents are suing Vanderhook and the Lodi Board of Education.
The lawsuit states that Vanderhook knew for several days of "Potross' improper behavior toward and treatment of his students and failed to report" Potross to school administrators.
The board of education was negligent in that it failed to properly train principals and teachers to report inappropriate behavior, the lawsuit claims.
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In addition to physical injuries, the parents claim their son suffered severe emotional distress and mental anguish and was denied his civil rights. They are seeking unspecified monetary damages.
Schools Superintendent Frank Quatrone declined to discuss the lawsuit when contacted Monday.
"I cannot comment on any pending litigation," Quatrone wrote in an email.
The lawsuit is at least the second this year involving Wilson Avenue Elementary School and the Lodi school district, according to court documents.
Over the summer a woman filed a suit claiming her son was sexually harassed by four male students and that teachers, the principal and other staff failed to intervene.
Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.