Debra Plaster's lawsuit against the school district says students attacked her 14-year-old son.
By Times Staff Writer
Published March 16, 2004
DADE CITY - A Wesley Chapel woman is suing the Pasco County School Board claiming her son was verbally and physically abused on a school bus two years ago.
According to the suit filed in Pasco-Pinellas Circuit Court, Debra Plaster claims her son was on a Weightman Middle School bus on Dec. 5, 2001, when "several students engaged in a vicious physical and verbal attack on Joshua Plaster."
The Plasters' attorney, Charles Spinner Jr. of Tampa, said Monday that students on the bus hit and spit on Joshua, who was 14 at the time. He said the boy was treated later for his injuries at East Pasco Medical Center.
Spinner also said the driver egged the students on, telling them, "Kick him once for me."
The suit seeks unspecified damages of at least the $15,000 minimum required to land the case in Circuit Court. Allegations include negligence on the part of the bus driver and the district with claims that Joshua suffered a variety of unspecified injuries.
Pasco County School District offices were closed Monday and school transportation director Mike Park said he could not recall the specific incident. He said he would look into it when offices reopen today. District attorney Dennis Alfonso said he had not seen the suit and could not comment until he had reviewed the allegations.
