Frequently Asked Questions
When did the abuse happen and how old was the victim?
The abuse happened at Wildwood IB World Magnet School from 2022-2025, when Jenny was in 5th, 6th, and 7th grade (Jenny was 11, 12 and 13 years old).
What was the abuse?
All kinds, physical, verbal, sexual, from fellow students, often based on her race (black), gender (female), and body shape.
What were the ramifications on Jenny?
Physical and mental trauma, repeated and serious suicidal ideation leading to hospitalizations on numerous occasions.
Who are the Defendants?
- Chicago Board of Education
- Matthew Fasana is the Assistant Principal of Wildwood
- Melissa Resh is the Principal of Wildwood
- Thomas Corlett is Jenny’s Student PE Teacher at Wildwood
- Maria Elipas is Jenny’s Primary PE Teacher at Wildwood
What claims are being brought?
- 3 counts of negligence against the Board and individual Defendants.
- One count of sexual battery against Defendant Corlett and battery against Defendant Elipas.
- One count of infliction of emotional distress.
- One count of violation of Illinois Anti-Bullying Law
Why is this race discrimination?
Jenny was the only black student in her 5th, 6th, and 7th grade classes in 2022-2025. Much of the bullying was race-based and involved racial epithets from fellow students.
Specific acts of bullying (exemplary):
- Classmate, L.C., had, since the first day of school, repeatedly called her a “whore,” told her “I wish you never came to this school,” and demanded, “Why do I have to look at your face?” Complaint at 29.
- Classmate (L.) called her “fat” and “ugly” and had body-shamed her since the beginning of the school year. Complaint at 32.
- Classmate said she was “shaped like a football,” “looked like an egg,” or a “marshmallow”, and could “only catch man-balls”—and that she was routinely excluded during recess. Complaint at 32.
- Classmate slapped her and another girl (I.), “touch them in places they didn’t want to be touched,” rubbed her legs, thighs, arms, and buttocks, and threatened to “send [JENNY DOE] to a butcher” or “would be punched” if she reported the misconduct. (Incident Report No. ). Complaint at 34.
- Classmate struck JENNY DOE in the face during recess, declared “I’m always trying to kill you,” and told her she “stinks.” Complaint at 37.
- JENNY DOE was cyber-bullied with sexually explicit imagery. Upon returning to school, she was again told she “stinks” and is “annoying.” Complaint at 39.
- Student PE teacher, Thomas Corlett (aka Mr. Cortez), would rub against Jenny’s back with his private parts, experiencing an erection which was noted by other students. One time when JENNY DOE was sitting unaware that her pants had a hole in them, Mr. Corlett, inappropriately looked between her legs. This incident was noticed by another student who pushed Mr. Corlett out of the way and was punished for it. JENNY DOE also reported that the primary PE teacher, Maria Elipas would strike her on the back with a clipboard or a rolled-up paper. Complaint at 80.
What did the School do about this?
The school regularly minimized, covered up, and obfuscated what was going on to Jenny’s mother, Sherron, passing the issues off as Jenny having “friendship issues” or blaming Jenny for exaggerating and just being emotional.
Where’s Jenny now?
Mom has requested a safety transfer for Jenny and all of her children out of Wildwood, which, so far, has fallen on deaf ears.
What does Mom hope to achieve with this lawsuit?
Mom hopes to bring attention to the culture of embedded racism at Wildwood and cover-up and minimization of bullying on students at that school, in the hopes that CBOE will institute new and aggressive anti-bullying and anti-racism policies among students.
Important Documents: