Teacher files sexual harassment complaint against 10-year-old student for hugging

LANCASTER COUNTY, SC (WKRC) – A teacher has filed a sexual harassment complaint against a 10-year-old student after several allegedly “inappropriate” hugs.

This is evident from a complaint about sexual harassment, obtained by WCNCthe problem began in October when the 10-year-old “lay his head on the teacher’s chest” while hugging her. Later that same month, the same student allegedly approached the teacher from behind and “pressed his body against hers and wrapped his arms around her,” according to the complaint.

After the second incident, the teacher claimed she told the student that “hugging from behind is highly inappropriate and you should not do it again,” according to the document.

A third incident in early November, in which the child allegedly hugged the teacher again from behind and “put his hands on her hip/side area,” prompted the teacher to file a complaint. WCNC reported.

The child’s mother, Lyndsay Casey, claimed the school only informed her of the ongoing problem after the complaint was filed and her son was imposed a “no hugging policy.”

“He’s a very loving kid,” Casey said WCNC. “I feel like school is supposed to be a safe place and the fact that he doesn’t feel that way anymore sends him into a whirlwind of emotions.”

Lancaster County School District Communications Director Elizabeth Bryant said WCNC“Our goal is to provide a safe environment for all our students and staff and we want to ensure they are aware of their rights and we go through the appropriate process to protect those rights.”