Teen with HIV was bullied, suit says

INDIANAPOLIS - A school district in the state where HIV-positive Ryan White fought for the right to attend classes two decades ago is being sued by the family of a 14-year-old girl who says she was bullied so badly over her positive status that she left school.

The federal lawsuit filed Tuesday against Washington Township Schools in Indianapolis said the girl was subjected to name-calling and harassment at Westlane Middle School and that school officials did little to stop it.

In one instance, the lawsuit said, the girl's soccer coach asked her whether she had AIDS, then told her the team could use her HIV status to its advantage because "the other team will be afraid."

The girl, "on an almost daily basis, endured continuing harassment, teasing, name calling, and bullying by her fellow students," according to the lawsuit, which seeks unspecified damages. An attorney for the family declined to elaborate on the case.

Superintendent James Mervilde said he couldn't comment on the lawsuit but said the district prohibits bullying and harassment and has policies with specific precautions for cleaning up and handling bodily fluids.

The suit said the girl was found in 2006 to have the virus that causes AIDS. It does not specify how she contracted the virus. She confided her condition to a friend in March 2007, and the bullying began shortly thereafter as word spread.

The girl's mother met with school counselors in April 2007 to complain about the harassment, but officials took no action other than warning the students involved, the lawsuit said.

The girl withdrew from the school in September and is being home-schooled.

ASSOCIATED PRESS