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 order