A former Landsdown Middle School student is seeking in excess of $4 million from the East St. Louis Board of Education and an employee for injuries she sustained in an attack four years ago.
Denise Luster claims she was assaulted by a school employee Tyrone Haywood on Oct. 29, 2002, according to a lawsuit filed Oct. 11 in St. Clair County Circuit Court. At the time she was approximately 11-years-old.
Represented by Gerald M. Dunne of Dunne Bodet LLC in Clayton, Mo., Lester claims the school board is negligent for employing Haywood who had a history of violent behavior and for failing to properly supervise him.
Jennifer Lester, Denise Lester's mother, is acting on her behalf.
Lester's neck, shoulder, elbow, wrists, trunk, spinal column, vertebrae, intervertebral discs were injured, the suit claims.
Lester also claims lacerations, abrasions, emotional stress and shock to her nervous system.
"The actions of East St. Louis Board of Education were in reckless disregard of the rights of others in general and plaintiff in particular," the complaint states.
"The actions of Haywood alleged herein were willful, wanton and malicious."
Former middle school student seeks $4 million
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