This week, attorneys from the Disparti Law Group filed a 38-page lawsuit against Chicago Public Schools and several staff members, alleging three years of racial discrimination, bullying, and multiple instances of sexual abuse targeting a young Black student.
Wildwood IB World Magnet School, considered one of the top schools in the Chicago Public School system, has an enrollment of 471 students—only 3% of whom are Black. According to the lawsuit, the student, referred to as “Jenny Doe,” was the only Black girl in her class during 5th, 6th, and 7th grades.
Over those three years, Jenny endured relentless racial discrimination from fellow students. She was repeatedly called slurs and degrading names, including “fat,” “ugly,” “whore,” and the “n-word.” On multiple occasions, students told her to kill herself, both in person and online. The level of abuse Jenny endured, the lawsuit states, was unconscionable.
As a result of this emotional trauma, Jenny was hospitalized for suicidal ideation. She was assessed at school three separate times and categorized as having a moderate risk for suicide—yet her mother was never informed of these evaluations.
In repeated violations of Illinois state law, school officials failed to notify Jenny’s mother, Sherron Hinton, of the ongoing bullying. Attorney Jamaal Buchanan stated, “The school’s officials minimized, obfuscated, and covered up what was happening to Jenny’s mom.”
In addition to the racial harassment, Jenny was also subjected to sexual abuse by a student teacher in her physical education class, as well as physical abuse by her PE teacher.
Patrycja Karlin of The Karlin Law Firm, LLC—co-counsel on the case—stated that the lawsuit seeks “accountability for three years of egregious misconduct that no child or parent should ever have to endure.”
Following remarks by the legal team, Jenny’s mother, Sherron Hinton, delivered an emotional statement. “My daughter was physically, emotionally, and sexually harmed while attending a school that was supposed to protect her,” she said. “My daughter didn’t just fall through the cracks—she was placed in them.”
For those present at the press conference, and for viewers watching coverage on television, Hinton’s words were deeply painful. They illustrated the devastating toll that three years of unchecked abuse had on her daughter.
Attorney Cass Casper emphasized that the lawsuit is not solely about financial compensation—it is about demanding systemic change in an institution that failed to act. Among the reforms proposed are mandatory staff and student training, and the creation of an independent office to investigate serious cases of bullying, like the one Jenny experienced.
“Disparti Law Group stands with victims of racism, bullying, and sexual abuse everywhere,” said attorney Jamaal Buchanan in closing. “Where there is abuse, there will always be an advocate—Disparti Law.”
A confidential abuse hotline is now available through Disparti Law Group. Victims and families of victims can speak directly with an attorney by calling (312) 506-1235.