Legal Question in Civil Rights Law in Maryland

Perceived Threat to a Child in School by an Adult

My daughter is 8 and attends a public school. Recently, she told a girlfriend that she did not want to be friends with her anymore and to leave her alone. The child and her parents have embarked on a campaign of slander about my family. The mother of the other child is at school constantly--morning, lunchtime, during classes and at dismissal. This woman makes faces at my daughter, whispers secrets about her to children in the class and then points at and laughs at my daughter and much more. Her presence has been such a problem that my daughter is despondent. She feels that this woman is stalking her. She has nightmares that this woman will kill her. Per the school's recommendations, we have just ignored everything in the hopes that if she receives no satisfaction, she will just go away. It's been 2.5 weeks and she has not stopped. Do I have any legal remedies available to me?


Asked on 4/05/01, 10:01 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Michael Worsham Michael C. Worsham, Esq.

Re: Perceived Threat to a Child in School by an Adult

There is a relatively new action you can file in District Court called a Peace Order. It is not expensive to file. A hearing would be scheduled very quickly. Because of the age of your child it might be successful in getting the Court to order the woman to stay away from your child for a number of months. By that time the other people will presumably move on to more worthwhile pasttimes. It does not appear you have told the family to stop yourself. If not, do so, in WRITING, telling them that their conduct is upsetting your daughter, and that you consider it harassing. I would copy the school on the letter. If these things are happening on school grounds, the school should be more concerned. Why is this woman at the school all the time? I hope this helps some. - Michael Worsham, 410-557-6192

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Answered on 6/05/01, 9:52 pm


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