The family of a high school football player who committed suicide following a hazing scandal is suing the Milton (Vt.) School District and two of its leaders for failure to follow anti-hazing/bullying policies.
Jordan Preavy, a former Milton High School football player, committed suicide in August 2012, one year after sexual hazing by other former football players. Five former players were convicted of crimes, and now Preavy’s family is seeking compensation from the school district.
A six-month investigation by retired Vermont State Police Captain Dan Troidl showed that Superintendent John Barone and high school principal Anne Blake blocked efforts to report the hazing to authorities, including the Department for Children and Families.
The lawsuit alleges that Barone, Blake, Milton High School and the School District “had prior knowledge of a long-standing pattern and practice of MHS’ football team engaging in hazing and harassment of freshmen players that date back to at least 2009.”
The lawsuit says that the defendants were negligent in failing to act according to school policy and take remedial measures necessary “to ensure the physical and psychological welfare of the decedent and other students similarly situated.”
The defendants have 20 days to respond in writing to the lawsuit. No hearings have yet been scheduled.
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