by Nick Beres
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. -- The family of a high school sophomore in Clarksville plans to sue the school district for failing to investigate complaints of bullying.
Julie Ramos said her 15-year-old daughter was knocked cold in the hallway of Northwest High School. She said it was the final act of more than six weeks of non-stop bullying.
"Half a dozen times I complained to the school and even more to the district," said Ramos.
"The mother went out of her way to contact everyone she should contact," said attorney Eddie Farmer. But he said nothing was done.
The 15-year-old said she finally was forced to defend herself and she ended up in the hospital.
"I just was to the point where I couldn't take it anymore and I felt I could only stand up for myself," said the daughter.
Ramos said when the school suspended her daughter -- along with the bully -- she had enough.
"She has a right to be protected and the school failed in that," said Ramos.
The family has hired Carrie Gasaway and Farmer to sue the school district for damages.
Gasaway said there's no excuse for a school to ignore repeated pleas for help in the face of bullying and then a student being injured.
"We as parents entrust our children to school administrators," said Gasaway.
School district officials could not be reached for comment.
The family also plans to work with Tennessee state lawmakers to pass a law making bullying in school a criminal offense.
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