Blanchette v. Narragansett

  • Filed: May 27, 2020
  • Status: Victory!
  • Latest Update: May 27, 2020
Placeholder image

Summary

This is a lawsuit in federal court seeking monetary damages on behalf of a former Narragansett High School student with special education needs who was thrown to the ground, choked and falsely arrested by a school resource officer (SRO).

This is a lawsuit in federal court seeking monetary damages on behalf of a former Narragansett High School student with special education needs who was thrown to the ground, choked and falsely arrested by a school resource officer (SRO). A video of the incident is available here.

Attorney(s):
Amato A. DeLuca

News & Commentary

May 28, 2020

ACLU Sues Narragansett Over Unlawful Assault and Arrest of Special Education Student

ACLU of Rhode Island cooperating attorney Amato DeLuca filed suit in federal court seeking monetary damages on behalf of a former Narragansett High School student with special education needs who was thrown to the ground, choked and falsely arrested by a school resource officer (SRO) over a rude hand gesture the student gave the SRO. A videotaped record of the incident, which occurred two years ago, shows SRO Kyle Rooney forcefully slamming to the floor and restraining 11th-grader Michael Blanchette for a few minutes before removing him from the school in handcuffs.

Placeholder image

Learn More About the Issues in This Case

Criminal Justice Reform First Amendment Students’ Rights View All Issues

Related News & Podcasts

News & Commentary
May 28, 2020
Placeholder image
  • Criminal Justice Reform|
  • +2 Issues

ACLU Sues Narragansett Over Unlawful Assault and Arrest of Special Education Student

ACLU of Rhode Island cooperating attorney Amato DeLuca filed suit in federal court seeking monetary damages on behalf of a former Narragansett High School student with special education needs who was thrown to the ground, choked and falsely arrested by a school resource officer (SRO) over a rude hand gesture the student gave the SRO. A videotaped record of the incident, which occurred two years ago, shows SRO Kyle Rooney forcefully slamming to the floor and restraining 11th-grader Michael Blanchette for a few minutes before removing him from the school in handcuffs.