News
News Home
The Regina Brett Show
Quick Bites
Exploradio
News Archive
News Channel
Special Features
NPR
nowplaying
On AirNewsClassical
Loading...
  
Weather
From WKYC.COM / TV 3
School Closings
WKSU Support
Funding for WKSU is made possible in part through support from the following businesses and organizations.

Knight Foundation

SummaCare

Akron General


For more information on how your company or organization can support WKSU, download the WKSU Media Kit.

(WKSU Media Kit PDF icon )


Donate Your Vehicle to WKSU

Programs Schedule Make A Pledge Member BenefitsFAQ/HelpContact Us
Education


Federal judge throws out another Mentor bullying-suicide suit
Judge Nugent says the bullying may have occurred but not because of the girl's nationality
by WKSU's VIVIAN GOODMAN


Reporter
Vivian Goodman
 
Dragan and Celija Vidovic and their daughter at a community remembrance in Mentor for Sladjana.
Courtesy of VIVIAN GOODMAN
In The Region:

A federal judge has thrown out a second lawsuit against the Mentor school district related to bullying and suicide.

The parents of 16-year-old Sladjana Vidovic had claimed she killed herself after sustained bullying at Mentor High School. They argued the school district knew about the abuse and did nothing to stop it.

District Judge Donald Nugent dismissed the suit today, saying Mentor did not violate the girl’s constitutional rights. Ken Myers is the attorney for the Vidovics.

MYERS on Nugent's ruling

Other options:
Windows Media / MP3 Download (0:15)


“I don’t think he says there wasn’t bullying. It’s just that it’s got be characterized as being based on nationality or religion or gender or disability, what are called  the protected categories.”

Myers says he thinks the Vidovics have a valid argument that the taunting of Sladjana – who immigrated with her family from Bosnia -- makes it a federal case, and he will recommend they appeal. He’s also recommending they take up the case in state court.

Judge Nugent also threw out a similar suit in 2011 filed by the family of a 17-year-old Mentor student – Eric Mohat -- who also committed suicide.

The school district and its attorney could not be reached for comment.


Related Links & Resources
Vivian Goodman's examination of bullying and its impact

Add Your Comment
Name:

Location:

E-mail: (not published, only used to contact you about your comment)


Comments:




 
Page Options

Print this page

E-Mail this page / Send mp3

Share on Facebook




Stories with Recent Comments

The Cleveland Plain Dealer is cutting home delivery days
Older people don't have computers..why can't Akron beacon come to Cleve?i think this stinks. Bring back press and news.

Thousands of tourists flock to Ohio's Magee Marsh
Thanks for sharing these bird pictures. I have seen warblers at Magee some years ago, which was a wonderful experience.

Husted's voter-address plan is under scrutiny
=========== The new directive allows voters to make the updates online for the first time. =========== Ahem!!! You might want to do some fact checking before ...

Leveling the field between private and public school sports
Consideration should be given to establishing a limit on athletic scholarships to private schools (which may be disguised as financial aid to poor students). I...

Thirteen Cleveland firefighters indicted
What was stolen? Section 7(p)(3) of the FLSA provides that two individuals employed in the same capacity by the same public agency may agree, solely at their ...

Union refuses to back gay teacher fired by Catholic school
Catholic schools can be very vindictive regarding the lifestyles of their teachers. Insurance does not pay for birth control, non-Catholic teachers are replace...

Drilling for wind on Lake Erie
May God help us defeat the WIND MONSTER ...

Raise a glass to craft beer week
Vivian, What a great interview - Just done so professionally. I loved the way you smoothly transitioned from production to interview to history of the company...

Castro could face death penalty as abduction case goes to a grand jury
I thought kidnapping was automatically a federal charge. Is it not?

Copyright © 2013 WKSU Public Radio, All Rights Reserved.

 
In Partnership With:

NPR PRI Kent State University

listen in windows media format listen in realplayer format Car Talk Hosts: Tom & Ray Magliozzi Fresh Air Host: Terry Gross A Service of Kent State University 89.7 WKSU | NPR.Classical.Other smart stuff. NPR Senior Correspondent: Noah Adams Living on Earth Host: Steve Curwood 89.7 WKSU | NPR.Classical.Other smart stuff. A Service of Kent State University