logo
Google Play App Store
Log In Subscribe Eeditions
  • Home
  • E-Edition
    • This Week Newspaper
    • Archives
    • Local Shops
    • This is Westfield
  • News
  • Opinions
  • Sports
  • Community
    • Life Events
    • Community Calendar
  • Arts & Entertainment
  • Obituaries
    • Submit an Obituary
  • Classified
  • Legals
  • Advertise
    • Advertorial
    • Paid Political
    • Sponsored Content
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
    • Home
    • E-Edition
      • This Week Newspaper
      • Archives
      • Local Shops
      • This is Westfield
    • News
    • Opinions
    • Sports
    • Community
      • Life Events
      • Community Calendar
    • Arts & Entertainment
    • Obituaries
      • Submit an Obituary
    • Classified
    • Legals
    • Advertise
      • Advertorial
      • Paid Political
      • Sponsored Content
    • Subscribe
    • Contact
  • Home
  • E-Edition
    • This Week Newspaper
    • Archives
    • Local Shops
    • This is Westfield
  • News
  • Opinions
  • Sports
  • Community
    • Life Events
    • Community Calendar
  • Arts & Entertainment
  • Obituaries
    • Submit an Obituary
  • Classified
  • Legals
  • Advertise
    • Advertorial
    • Paid Political
    • Sponsored Content
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
    • Home
    • E-Edition
      • This Week Newspaper
      • Archives
      • Local Shops
      • This is Westfield
    • News
    • Opinions
    • Sports
    • Community
      • Life Events
      • Community Calendar
    • Arts & Entertainment
    • Obituaries
      • Submit an Obituary
    • Classified
    • Legals
    • Advertise
      • Advertorial
      • Paid Political
      • Sponsored Content
    • Subscribe
    • Contact
Lawsuit Claims Bullying, Inaction Led to Westfield Student’s Suicide
News
REBECCA MEHORTER on
June 25, 2020
Lawsuit Claims Bullying, Inaction Led to Westfield Student’s Suicide

Mr. Uziel’s and Ms. Testini’s lawsuit states that their son, Carter, was, on multiple occasions, sexually assaulted, physically harmed, had property stolen or defaced and was targeted with anti-Semitic slurs, among other allegations, in the Westfield public school system from 2010 until his death in 2018. The plaintiffs further allege that the school administration took no action to protect their son after the parents sent emails about the bullying and that their son faced retaliation via unwarranted discipline from teachers and administration members because of their emails.

The plaintiffs are suing on multiple counts. The first is negligence, due to the repeated emails that prompted no actions from the schools. They claim that Carter suffered both physically and mentally because of the administration’s lack of action. The two also are claiming in their lawsuit a violation of the New Jersey Civil Rights Act, specifically the anti-bullying act.

The parents also allege that the defendants created a hostile environment in violation of the New Jersey law against discrimination. They claim that Carter was denied the privilege of public education because of his religion, as they purport the administration did not take action after being told Carter was called anti-Jewish slurs by students.

After sending an email about an incident to Superintendent Dolan, Mr. Uziel received the alleged March 16, 2018, response: “You are the single and only parent out of the thousands of parents of our Westfield Public School students who has consistently attempted to harass and malign teachers, counselors, nurses, and administrators … I do not believe that the District must continue to respond to further inappropriate, intentionally offensive or harassing communications.”

According to the lawsuit, on June 17, 2018, Carter committed suicide. His parents found him shortly after and called 911. Carter was later pronounced dead at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in Rahway.

“All children have a legal right to an environment free from harassment, intimidation and bullying where they can grow and learn,” the plaintiffs’ attorney Heidi Weintraub told The Westfield Leader in an email. “The ideal outcome in this case is to try to right the wrongs that have been committed and to seek justice for Carter Uziel and his family and to afford Carter’s parents some closure to their long and horrible ordeal.”

Mary Ann McGann, coordinator of school and community relations for Westfield Public Schools, responded to The Leader via an email that the district cannot comment on pending litigation.

 

ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
Most Read
Residents Ask for Westfield’s DEI to Combat Anti-Semitism
Main, News
Residents Ask for Westfield’s DEI to Combat Anti-Semitism
By KATIE MOEN 
Wednesday, November 22, 2023
WESTFIELD — On Tuesday, during a regular meeting of the Westfield Board of Education, numerous parents and local residents stepped to the podium to ur...
this is a test
Two Municipal Elections Remain Undecided
Main, News
Two Municipal Elections Remain Undecided
By KATIE MOEN 
Thursday, November 16, 2023
AREA—As Union County officials are still working to count this year’s final round of mail-in ballots, two municipal elections — one in Garwood and ano...
this is a test
Raiders Won First, Finished Football Season on High Note
Sports
Raiders Won First, Finished Football Season on High Note
By DAVID B. CORBIN 
Thursday, November 23, 2023
TEAM CAPTAINS - RICCA, ROMANO, DELCORE, MUNDLEExperiencing a season of turmoil, the Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School football team endured it all and...
this is a test
Clark Mayor Charged With Fraud, Official Misconduct
Main, News
Clark Mayor Charged With Fraud, Official Misconduct
By KATIE MOEN 
Wednesday, November 22, 2023
CLARK — Clark’s longtime mayor, Sal Bonaccorso, could be facing more than 15 years in state prison in connection with official charges of fraud, misco...
this is a test
Letters to the Editor
Law Professor Takes Issue With Leader Editorial
Matthew L. Schafer Westfield 
Thursday, November 16, 2023
I’ve practiced FirstAmendment law for more than a decade–first, in D.C. and now in New York. I’ve represented newspapers from New York to Australia. I...
this is a test
This site complies with ADA requirements

© Copyright The The Westfield Leader

  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Accessibility Policy
This site complies with ADA requirements

© Copyright The The Westfield Leader