logo
Google Play App Store
Log In subscribe and/or renew Eeditions
  • Home
  • E-Edition
    • This Week Newspaper
    • Archives
    • Local Shops
    • This is Westfield
    • Search the Archives
  • News
  • Opinions
  • Sports
  • Community
    • Life Events
    • Community Calendar
  • Arts & Entertainment
  • Obituaries
    • Submit an Obituary
  • Classified
  • Legals
  • Advertise
    • Advertorial
    • Paid Political
    • Sponsored Content
  • subscribe and/or renew
  • Contact
    • Home
    • E-Edition
      • This Week Newspaper
      • Archives
      • Local Shops
      • This is Westfield
      • Search the Archives
    • News
    • Opinions
    • Sports
    • Community
      • Life Events
      • Community Calendar
    • Arts & Entertainment
    • Obituaries
      • Submit an Obituary
    • Classified
    • Legals
    • Advertise
      • Advertorial
      • Paid Political
      • Sponsored Content
    • subscribe and/or renew
    • Contact
  • Home
  • E-Edition
    • This Week Newspaper
    • Archives
    • Local Shops
    • This is Westfield
    • Search the Archives
  • News
  • Opinions
  • Sports
  • Community
    • Life Events
    • Community Calendar
  • Arts & Entertainment
  • Obituaries
    • Submit an Obituary
  • Classified
  • Legals
  • Advertise
    • Advertorial
    • Paid Political
    • Sponsored Content
  • subscribe and/or renew
  • Contact
    • Home
    • E-Edition
      • This Week Newspaper
      • Archives
      • Local Shops
      • This is Westfield
      • Search the Archives
    • News
    • Opinions
    • Sports
    • Community
      • Life Events
      • Community Calendar
    • Arts & Entertainment
    • Obituaries
      • Submit an Obituary
    • Classified
    • Legals
    • Advertise
      • Advertorial
      • Paid Political
      • Sponsored Content
    • subscribe and/or renew
    • Contact
Lawsuit Claims Bullying, Inaction Led to Westfield Student’s Suicide
News
REBECCA MEHORTER on
June 25, 2020
Lawsuit Claims Bullying, Inaction Led to Westfield Student’s Suicide

Mr. Uziel’s and Ms. Testini’s lawsuit states that their son, Carter, was, on multiple occasions, sexually assaulted, physically harmed, had property stolen or defaced and was targeted with anti-Semitic slurs, among other allegations, in the Westfield public school system from 2010 until his death in 2018. The plaintiffs further allege that the school administration took no action to protect their son after the parents sent emails about the bullying and that their son faced retaliation via unwarranted discipline from teachers and administration members because of their emails.

The plaintiffs are suing on multiple counts. The first is negligence, due to the repeated emails that prompted no actions from the schools. They claim that Carter suffered both physically and mentally because of the administration’s lack of action. The two also are claiming in their lawsuit a violation of the New Jersey Civil Rights Act, specifically the anti-bullying act.

The parents also allege that the defendants created a hostile environment in violation of the New Jersey law against discrimination. They claim that Carter was denied the privilege of public education because of his religion, as they purport the administration did not take action after being told Carter was called anti-Jewish slurs by students.

After sending an email about an incident to Superintendent Dolan, Mr. Uziel received the alleged March 16, 2018, response: “You are the single and only parent out of the thousands of parents of our Westfield Public School students who has consistently attempted to harass and malign teachers, counselors, nurses, and administrators … I do not believe that the District must continue to respond to further inappropriate, intentionally offensive or harassing communications.”

According to the lawsuit, on June 17, 2018, Carter committed suicide. His parents found him shortly after and called 911. Carter was later pronounced dead at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in Rahway.

“All children have a legal right to an environment free from harassment, intimidation and bullying where they can grow and learn,” the plaintiffs’ attorney Heidi Weintraub told The Westfield Leader in an email. “The ideal outcome in this case is to try to right the wrongs that have been committed and to seek justice for Carter Uziel and his family and to afford Carter’s parents some closure to their long and horrible ordeal.”

Mary Ann McGann, coordinator of school and community relations for Westfield Public Schools, responded to The Leader via an email that the district cannot comment on pending litigation.

 

ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
Most Read
Fanwood Woman Killed In House Fire
Main, News
Fanwood Woman Killed In House Fire
By KATIE MOEN 
Friday, July 25, 2025
FANWOOD -- A Fanwood woman tragically lost her life early Friday morning after a fire broke out her in her Kempshall Terrace home. A neighbor who atte...
this is a test
SP Advances Plans For New First Responders Headquarters
Main, News
SP Advances Plans For New First Responders Headquarters
By FRED T. ROSSI 
Thursday, July 24, 2025
SCOTCH PLAINS — The planning board on Monday gave its backing to a study finding that a piece of property on Plainfield Avenue should be designated as...
this is a test
Equestrians Support 100 Years of Horses at Watchung
Main, News
Equestrians Support 100 Years of Horses at Watchung
By MADOLYN LAURINE 
Thursday, July 31, 2025
MOUNTAINSIDE — Those looking for an outdoor escape often turn to Watchung Reservation for hiking, biking, and fishing. But residents also have access ...
this is a test
Fanwood Council Explains Sewer Utility Fees
Main, News
Fanwood Council Explains Sewer Utility Fees
By FRED T. ROSSI 
Thursday, July 24, 2025
FANWOOD – Several residents peppered the borough council with questions about the sewer utility fee, asking specifically why homeowners were paying fo...
this is a test
Community
Fairfield U. Recognizes 26 On Spring ’25 Dean’s List
Thursday, July 24, 2025
FAIRFIELD, Conn. — Twenty-six local residents have received Dean’s List Honors for the Spring 2025 semester at Fairfield University. In order to be pl...
this is a test
This site complies with ADA requirements

© Copyright The The Westfield Leader

  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Accessibility Policy
This site complies with ADA requirements

© Copyright The The Westfield Leader