Schools
Maine West Parent ‘Sickened’ by Tolerance of Bullying
Four families have filed a lawsuit against D-207 administrators, faculty, coaches and staff over hazing, bullying, physical and sexual assault allegations. Three plaintiffs were added to the suit on Wednesday.
Shielded by a cap and sunglasses to conceal her identity, the mother of a former Maine West student spoke to reporters with her attorney, Antonio Romanucci, about why she joined the hazing and bullying lawsuit at the law firm’s Chicago office on Wednesday.
The woman said she was “sickened” when she heard about the report of a Maine West High School student being hazed and bullied recently. Some of the same coaches were employed at the Des Plaines high school, including varsity soccer coach Michael Divincenzo, she said, as were when her son was the target of similar assaults in 2008.
Her son was transferred to Maine East High School in Niles, and continued to suffer as a result of being repeatedly targeted by other student athletes, she said.
Find out what's happening in Des Plaineswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Related: Mother: Maine West Hazing 'Destroying' Children.
Sign up for Patch’s daily newsletter, delivered to your inbox with news, information and community.
Find out what's happening in Des Plaineswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
