The spanking of an autistic Rolla Public Schools student is subject of a Tuesday lawsuit filed in the 25th Judicial Circuit.
Plaintiffs are an unnamed nine-year-old student and Adam Bloch acting as “Next Friend” for the lawsuit.
Named as defendants are the Rolla 31 School District and its employee Matt Fridley. Fridley is a principal at Mark Twain Elementary School. He is also an elected Ward 3 representative on Rolla City Council.
The Rolla 31 School District declined to comment when contacted by Phelps County Focus. Fridley was not immediately reached.
The plaintiff’s petition alleges the student, when six years old, was spanked by Fridley at Mark Twain Elementary School in September 2019 during what is described as an “autistic episode.” The petition alleges the student’s parents had not given parental consent for spankings to be used and informed Fridley and others at the district it should not occur again. It also alleges the circumstances of the spanking violated school district policy.
The plaintiff’s petition alleges the same student, when seven years old, was later spanked twice by Fridley at Mark Twain Elementary School on Nov. 6, 2020. The circumstances of the spankings are again alleged as violating school district policy.
Six specific counts are alleged in the lawsuit against the defendants. They include disability discrimination in violation of the Missouri Human Rights Act, violation of the Missouri Human Rights Act (RSMO 213.070), intentional infliction of emotional distress, assault and battery, negligence and negligent infliction of emotional distress. Specifically, the petition alleges the student endured physical and emotional distress resulting from the spankings and became fearful of being spanked by other adults in his life. The school district is alleged as failing to adequately train and supervise its employee to prevent the violations of its policy.
The petition states the Missouri Commission on Human Rights closed its investigation into the situation on April 28, 2022. The lawsuit was filed in accordance with the 90-day window of plaintiffs receiving a Notice of Right to Sue from the commission and being within two years of the incident’s occurrence.
The plaintiff’s petition concludes by requesting a trial by jury to settle all asserted claims.
The Honorable Steven Privette has been assigned to preside over the case by the State Supreme Court of Missouri. Circuit Judge John D. Beger recused himself from the case.
The allegations detailed above are merely accusations and are not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of the allegations must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine liability.
