Staffer Confined Students in School’s Boiler Room, Known as the ‘Dungeon’, to Punish Them: Lawsuit

School Staffer Accused of Locking Kids in Boiler Room as Punishment: Lawsuit

A disturbing lawsuit has been filed against Milwaukee Public Schools and several employees of Thurston Woods School in relation to alleged misconduct involving students. According to the lawsuit, parents of children who attended the school claim that their kids were subjected to confinement in the school’s boiler room, known as the “dungeon,” as a form of discipline. The lawsuit alleges that this treatment resulted in emotional distress and trauma for the students.

The lawsuit was officially filed on December 8, citing instances during the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 school years where school employees threatened students with punishment in the boiler room. The students were reportedly warned that if they misbehaved, they would be taken to the dungeon and locked inside with the lights turned off, creating a pitch-black environment. They were then left inside the room without the ability to leave.

Described as a basement-level room filled with the noise of the running boiler and storing hazardous chemicals and cleaning agents, the dungeon became a place of fear and discomfort for the students. Attorney Drew DeVinney, representing the affected students and families, shared video evidence with PEOPLE that exposed the conditions inside the boiler room, shedding light on the disturbing practices enforced by the school staffer.

According to the complaint, the staff member responsible for confining the students in the dungeon not only turned off the lights to leave them in complete darkness but also made them remove their shoes. The students were forced to endure the harsh smells of chemicals, and at times, the staff member physically prevented them from leaving the room, intensifying their distress.

The parents of the affected children expressed shock and distress upon learning about the dungeon and how their children had been subjected to such treatment without their knowledge or consent. The impact on the students was profound, leading to sleep disturbances, nightmares, and a fear of returning to school due to the traumatic experiences they endured in the boiler room.

Milwaukee Public Schools conducted an investigation into the incidents and subsequently terminated the employment of the staff member responsible for the abusive practices. The district acknowledged the violation of administrative and disciplinary policies and took necessary disciplinary actions to address the situation.

In response to the lawsuit, a spokesperson for the school district assured their commitment to ensuring a safe and welcoming learning environment for all students and staff. While refraining from commenting on the ongoing litigation, the district emphasized that appropriate measures had been taken following the investigation in 2023.

The legal action brought forth by the parents aims to seek justice for the emotional distress and suffering inflicted upon the students. The lawsuit holds the school employees and Milwaukee Public Schools accountable for negligence in supervision, training, and intervention, highlighting the need for safeguards to prevent such incidents from recurring in educational settings.