Tennessee Governor Sued for Student Abuse Under New Zero Tolerance Law

Two Tennessee families are suing Governor Bill Lee and the Williamson County School District, alleging their children were wrongfully arrested and mistreated. The lawsuit claims severe consequences arose from a misinterpretation of laws regarding threats of mass violence in schools.

Families Sue Tennessee Governor and School District

Two Tennessee families are suing Governor Bill Lee and the Williamson County School District, alleging their children were wrongfully arrested and mistreated. The lawsuit claims the students were subjected to strip searches, solitary confinement, and house arrest due to misinterpreted laws on mass violence threats.

Misinterpreted Laws and Arrests

The incidents occurred separately in August 2023, with students accused of making threatening statements. The lawsuit argues that the students’ speech did not constitute genuine threats or actions likely to cause serious harm, as defined by Tennessee statute 39-16-517.

Zero Tolerance Law Under Scrutiny

The lawsuit challenges the application of Tennessee’s 2021 “zero tolerance” law, which mandates harsh penalties for threats of mass violence in schools. The families argue that the law was misapplied, leading to severe consequences for their children.

Incident Involving 14-Year-Old Boy

On August 10, 2023, a 14-year-old boy named B.N. was accused of threatening to bring a gun and bomb to school. The boy denied the allegations, stating he only discussed his grandfather’s firearms in a casual conversation with friends.

Custody and Solitary Confinement

After interviews with school officials and police, B.N. was taken into custody for allegedly violating the mass violence statute. He endured 24 hours of solitary confinement and was strip-searched before being incarcerated for four days and placed under house arrest.

Suspension and Appeal

B.N. faced a one-year suspension from Williamson County Schools under zero tolerance rules. After appealing, Superintendent Jason Golden ruled that B.N. had created a disruptive rumor, allowing his return to school.

Principal’s Response to Allegations

Principal Eric Lifsey reportedly told B.N. and his mother that they did not consider him a threat and blamed the zero tolerance law for the harsh treatment. Lifsey has not commented on the lawsuit.

Officials’ Silence

Williamson County Schools declined to comment on the pending litigation. Governor Lee’s office also did not respond to requests for comment.

Attorney’s Statement

Larry Crain, attorney for the families, criticized the zero tolerance law for being misused against typical teenage behavior. He contends the law is unjustly punishing children for innocuous actions.

Second Incident at Fairview Middle School

Another incident on August 22, 2023, involved a 13-year-old student at Fairview Middle School. School officials classified the student’s text as a “Threat of Mass Violence,” leading to further legal action.

Incident at Fairview Middle School

A text sent in a school group chat by a 13-year-old student, H.M., read, “On Thursday, we will kill all the Mexicos.” This message was part of a conversation where H.M. was teased for her darker complexion, with friends joking that she “looked Mexican.”

Arrest and Detention

H.M. was arrested at school and taken to the Williamson County Juvenile Detention Center. She underwent a strip search, showered under surveillance, and was placed in a cell where she faced invasive questioning about her personal life.

Suspension and Mental Evaluation

Following her arrest, H.M. was suspended from school and required to undergo a mental health evaluation. The evaluation was to determine her competency to stand trial, with options for voluntary or involuntary commitment.

Emotional Impact and Additional Cases

The lawsuit states that both students have suffered significant emotional trauma. Attorney Larry Crain revealed that several other children have also been wrongfully prosecuted by the school district.

Legal Challenge to Zero Tolerance Law

The lawsuit aims to declare the zero tolerance law unconstitutional as applied to these students’ actions. It also seeks compensatory damages from the school district for violating internal policies and unnecessarily involving criminal prosecution.

Criticism of Zero Tolerance Policies

A report by Everytown for Gun Safety criticizes zero tolerance policies for creating a threatening climate in schools. The report argues that these policies often punish students who need compassionate intervention, not criminal prosecution.

Negative Effects on Student Trust

According to Everytown, zero tolerance policies erode student trust and deter them from sharing concerns about classmates. The report highlights the particularly harmful impact on students of color and advocates for non-punitive approaches to school safety.