A federal judge in Georgia has delivered a ruling with significant implications, holding the Camden County School District accountable for its handling of records related to the tragic suicide of a middle school student in 2019. The ruling, delivered by U.S. District Judge Benjamin Cheesbro, underscores the importance of preserving crucial documentation, particularly in cases where litigation is foreseeable.
Georgia School District Sanctioned Over Missing Records : Sanctions Warranted
Judge Cheesbro’s decision, issued on Thursday, revolves around the case of Carol Kohn, the mother of the deceased student. Kohn had indicated her intention to file a lawsuit against the school district in the aftermath of her son’s suicide. Despite this clear indication, the school district failed to take appropriate steps to preserve pertinent records, such as call logs and documents concerning the student’s education.
While the court did not grant the extensive sanctions sought by Kohn, which would have assumed detrimental effects on her case due to missing documents, Judge Cheesbro affirmed that sanctions were warranted. However, he stopped short of drawing adverse inferences from the missing records.
Background of the Case
The lawsuit, initially filed in November 2021, alleges that Kohn’s son, while attending Saint Mary’s Middle School, was subjected to persistent bullying that the district neglected to address. In the aftermath of the tragedy, the school’s then-principal, John Tucker, who was transitioning to the role of district superintendent, visited Kohn and acknowledged the likelihood of impending litigation.
