Blanchette v. Narragansett

  • Filed: May 27, 2020
  • Status: Victory!
  • Court: United States District Court of Rhode Island
  • Latest Update: May 27, 2020
Dark green and light yellow graphic including photo of the backs of two high school students wearing backpacks.

This is a lawsuit in federal court seeking monetary damages on behalf of a former Narragansett High School student with special education needs who was thrown to the ground, choked and falsely arrested by a school resource officer (SRO).

This is a lawsuit in federal court seeking monetary damages on behalf of a former Narragansett High School student with special education needs who was thrown to the ground, choked and falsely arrested by a school resource officer (SRO). A video of the incident is available here.

Case Number:
1:20-cv-00231-WES-PAS
Attorney(s):
Amato A. DeLuca
Where it started

ACLU Sues Narragansett Over Unlawful Assault and Arrest of Special Education Student

ACLU of Rhode Island cooperating attorney Amato DeLuca filed suit in federal court seeking monetary damages on behalf of a former Narragansett High School student with special education needs who was thrown to the ground, choked and falsely arrested by a school resource officer (SRO) over a rude hand gesture the student gave the SRO. A videotaped record of the incident, which occurred two years ago, shows SRO Kyle Rooney forcefully slamming to the floor and restraining 11th-grader Michael Blanchette for a few minutes before removing him from the school in handcuffs.

Dark green and light yellow graphic including photo of the backs of two high school students wearing backpacks.

ACLU Settles Suit Over Unlawful Assault And Arrest Of Narragansett Special Education Student

ACLU Settles Suit Over Unlawful Assault And Arrest Of Narragansett Special Education Student

Dark green and light yellow graphic including photo of the backs of two high school students wearing backpacks.

Related News & Podcasts

News & Commentary
May 28, 2020
Dark green and light yellow graphic including photo of the backs of two high school students wearing backpacks.
  • Criminal Justice Reform|
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ACLU Sues Narragansett Over Unlawful Assault and Arrest of Special Education Student

ACLU of Rhode Island cooperating attorney Amato DeLuca filed suit in federal court seeking monetary damages on behalf of a former Narragansett High School student with special education needs who was thrown to the ground, choked and falsely arrested by a school resource officer (SRO) over a rude hand gesture the student gave the SRO. A videotaped record of the incident, which occurred two years ago, shows SRO Kyle Rooney forcefully slamming to the floor and restraining 11th-grader Michael Blanchette for a few minutes before removing him from the school in handcuffs.
News & Commentary
Apr 03, 2023
Dark green and light yellow graphic including photo of the backs of two high school students wearing backpacks.
  • Criminal Justice Reform|
  • +2 Issues

ACLU Settles Suit Over Unlawful Assault And Arrest Of Narragansett Special Education Student

ACLU Settles Suit Over Unlawful Assault And Arrest Of Narragansett Special Education Student