Gaines V. Chicago Board Of Education Et Al

Case Background

On February 07, 2024, Plaintiff Asia Gaines and her minor son, JC, filed a civil rights lawsuit against Defendants Chicago Board of Education, Kristen Haynes, and Juanita Tyler. The complaint stemmed from an incident in which JC, a 9-year-old student at George W. Tilton Elementary School, was beaten with belts by Ms. Tyler, an unauthorized individual, under Ms. Haynes’ direction. The child assault lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court, Illinois Northern.

The case was assigned to Honorable Matthew F. Kennelly. [Case number: 1:19cv775]

Cause

Ms. Haynes’ History of Corporal Punishment

Before September 20, 2018, Ms. Haynes regularly used corporal punishment on her students, often with belts, and threatened many others. She believed she would not face consequences, as she had never been reprimanded for such actions. Despite being aware of her behavior, Principal Sylvia Yvette Hodge never intervened, and neither the Chicago Public Schools nor the Chicago Board of Education took action, likely enabling her to continue.

Ms. Gaines’ Visit to the School

A few days before September 20, 2018, Ms. Gaines visited the school to pick up her children. She spoke with Ms. Haynes, who complained about JC and offered her phone number, suggesting, “If you ever want to whip his butt, I got something for you,” while showing two belts hanging in the classroom closet. Principal Hodge observed but did not intervene.

Unauthorized Stranger Arranged to Punish JC

On or around September 19, 2018, Ms. Haynes reprimanded JC for laughing in class, contacted his father, Mr. Champ, and invited Juanita Tyler, a distant relative with a criminal record, to punish JC. Ms. Tyler, who had no parental consent and was not listed as an emergency contact, came to the school at Ms. Haynes’ invitation.

Unauthorized Visit and Physical Abuse

On September 20, 2018, Ms. Haynes assisted Ms. Tyler in entering the school. That morning, JC and his sister encountered Ms. Haynes and an unfamiliar woman. The stranger grabbed JC and slapped him in the mouth. Ms. Haynes, who did not intervene, then helped drag JC to the boys’ bathroom, where she left him alone with the stranger. The stranger ordered JC to pull down his pants, and when he refused, she beat him with two large belts Ms. Haynes had kept in her classroom.

The Beating of JC

JC, small at 4’5″ and 66 pounds, endured 20-30 strikes with belts, mainly on his back, shoulders, buttocks, and legs. After each refusal to comply, the stranger escalated the violence, causing JC physical and emotional trauma. The beating was accompanied by threats and continued physical abuse. JC screamed for his mother, but the stranger claimed, “I am your mama!”

JC’s Physical and Emotional Trauma

Though JC was fully clothed, the strikes caused bruising and abrasions. However, the emotional trauma was far worse.  After the beating, Ms. Haynes returned JC to her classroom, where the stranger hit him again. The assault left JC humiliated, devastated, and in tears for the rest of the morning.

The Parents’ Response

Neither Ms. Haynes nor the school contacted JC’s parents. His father was informed around 4:00 PM, and his mother learned through a relative. Ms. Gaines immediately contacted Ms. Haynes, who apologized but offered no explanation. The parents contacted the police, Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, and took JC to the emergency room. The authorities arrested Ms. Haynes on September 21, 2018, and charged her with child endangerment. They arrested Ms. Tyler on September 28, 2018, and charged her with domestic battery.

Lasting Psychological and Emotional Damage

Before the incident, JC was a joyful child, but since then, doctors have diagnosed him with PTSD, and he undergoes ongoing treatment, including medications for anxiety and insomnia. He developed severe sleep issues, panic attacks, and a hypersensitivity to sounds. JC also faced bullying at school, further deepening his trauma. Despite partial hospitalization, CPS’ refusal to provide alternative transportation forced him to return to his original school, where the bullying continued.

Injury

Ms. Tyler’s beating caused physical injuries to JC. Although JC wore his school uniform—a yellow short-sleeved button-up shirt, long khaki pants, and black shoes—the blows were so severe that they broke the skin on his back near the left shoulder blade. The beating also left red abrasions and marks on other areas of his body, including his back, right inner thigh, and buttocks, which became bright red. Ms. Haynes had solicited, invited, arranged, facilitated, and actively assisted in the assault. As a result, JC suffered immediate, severe, and lasting emotional and psychological harm.

Damages

As a direct result of the Defendants’ actions, JC required extensive, long-term, and costly psychological care and counseling. These services were essential to treat the lasting psychological harm caused by the defendants’ traumatic conduct. Given the nature of the Defendants’ actions and the permanent psychological injury they caused, their conduct justifies an award of punitive damages.

Plaintiff Asia Gaines also suffered significant harm. She had to live with the painful knowledge that her young son endured abuse, that she was powerless to protect him, and that he now suffers from severe PTSD.

Ms. Gaines further faced economic injuries due to the time and expense required for her son’s ongoing medical and psychological care, all stemming from the Defendants’ actions.

Key Arguments and Proceedings

Legal Representation

  • Plaintiff(s): Asia Gaines for herself and as the next best friend of her minor child, “JC”
    • Counsel for Plaintiff(s): Al Hofeld , Jr. | Julia Therese Rickert | Maria Adel Makar | Scott R. Rauscher | Zachary Hofeld
  • Defendant(s): Chicago Board of Education | Kristen A Haynes | Juanita Tyler
    • Counsel for Defendant(s): Brian Franklin Kolp | Christy Lynn Michaelson | Lindsey Erin Goldberg | Yasemine Christine Givan | Matthew Patrick Walsh, II | Danielle Mikhail | Justin M Penn | Thomas Logan O’Carroll | Vincent Michael Rizzo

Claims

The Plaintiff included the following claims in the complaint:

Failure to Supervise and Discipline (Monell Claim Against the Chicago Board of Education)

The Plaintiff alleged that the Chicago Board of Education failed in its duty to supervise and discipline staff members, which allowed excessive corporal punishment, particularly in grades K-8. Despite multiple complaints, the Board took no action, leaving staff like Defendant Haynes unchecked and violating the Plaintiff’s constitutional rights.

Excessive Force and Corporal Punishment

Defendant Haynes was accused of using excessive force against Plaintiff, causing both physical and emotional harm. The Plaintiff argued that Haynes’ actions violated constitutional protections against unreasonable force, further compounded by the failure of staff member Ms. Tyler to intervene and stop the abuse.

Shocking Conduct and Emotional Distress

The abuse JC suffered was described as shocking and extreme, violating constitutional rights in ways that left lasting emotional scars. Asia Gaines, JC’s mother, also claimed emotional and financial harm due to the enduring impact on her son.

Assault and Battery (Illinois State Law)

The Plaintiff asserted that both Haynes and Tyler intentionally inflicted harm. Their actions caused JC to fear imminent harm, resulting in significant physical and emotional injury. The allegations of battery highlighted harmful, unauthorized physical contact that resulted in serious injury, carried out with malice and indifference.

Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress

Plaintiffs accused both Haynes and Tyler of causing severe emotional distress to JC through their reckless and deliberate actions.  The claim alleged that the Defendants acted with complete disregard for the harm they were causing.

Aiding and Abetting

Plaintiffs accused Haynes of assisting Tyler in the assault on JC and intentionally facilitating harm, further compounding the abuse and misconduct.

Civil Conspiracy

The allegations extended to a conspiracy between Haynes and Tyler to use excessive force against JC. Their coordinated actions were said to have been motivated by a shared intent to harm him.

Liability of the Chicago Board of Education

Plaintiffs claimed that the Chicago Board of Education was liable for the misconduct of Haynes and Tyler, who allegedly acted within the scope of their employment, leading to claims of negligence and institutional failure.

Defense

A general denial was entered by the Defendants.

Jury Verdict

The jury deliberated for approximately 4.5 hours before reaching their verdict on September 18, 2024. They awarded $750,000 in compensatory damages against all Defendants, holding them jointly and severally liable for child assault.

Court Documents:

Available upon request

Press Release:

NBC Chicago