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A US mother has filed a lawsuit after she told a Catholic school that her child was bullied and the school got an abuse investigation launched against her.
Melissa Schroeder’s attorney has filed the action against Kansas City Archdiocese, Sacred Heart Catholic School in Shawnee and the school’s principal.
Mrs Schroeder said she reported the bullying to the school in April, 2014.
She provided notes from a doctor who found her 10-year-old girl’s severe migraines may have been the result of mistreatment at school.
But the principal did not take the claims seriously, according to the suit – and told the woman that “perhaps this school is not for you”.
The Kansas Department of Children and Families opened a child abuse and neglect investigation against Mrs Schroeder – which she says was launched by a complaint filed by the principal.
Mrs Schroeder’s attorney, Sarah Brown, said the DCF closed their investigation regarding her client after they found no signs of abuse.
Her client is suing for punitive damages on several counts including defamation, malicious prosecution and invasion of privacy.
The lawsuit claims the principal told DCF that Mrs Schroeder asked “for the anointing of the sick” and “requested an exorcism” – but the woman denies making those requests.
She met with a priest to discuss the situation, and he confirmed the principal had made the DCF “hotline call” after meeting with the superintendent and a nun.
“I think she’s a very brave woman who was genuinely concerned about protecting kids and protecting her kids from bullying and coming forward and exposing wrongdoing then that turned back at her,” said Ms Brown.
A representative for the archdiocese would not give a comment to media regarding the lawsuit since an investigation is still pending.
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