Parents of three students have sued Milwaukee Public Schools and Thurston Woods staff, alleging children were locked in a basement boiler room called the "dungeon" as punishment during the 2022–2023 and 2023–2024 school years. The complaint describes the space as noisy, hazardous from stored chemicals, and kept in total darkness; it alleges children were sometimes barred from leaving and later suffered nightmares and anxiety. Milwaukee Public Schools says it investigated in 2023 and terminated the paraprofessional named in the case; the lawsuit seeks damages and accountability.
Parents Sue Milwaukee Public Schools After Children Allegedly Locked in Boiler-Room “Dungeon”
Drew J DeVinney/Martin Law Office, S.CA screenshot of a video that shows the inside of a boiler room at Milwaukee's Thurston Woods School
Parents of three students have filed a lawsuit against Milwaukee Public Schools and several employees at Thurston Woods School, alleging that children were confined as punishment in a basement boiler room nicknamed the "dungeon." The complaint was filed on Dec. 8 and covers incidents during the 2022–2023 and 2023–2024 school years at the K4–8 school.
The court filing claims staff warned students that misbehavior would result in being taken to the boiler room, where the paraprofessional would lock the door and turn the lights off so it was pitch dark. According to the complaint, children were sometimes forced to remove their shoes, left with no ability to leave, exposed to loud mechanical noise from the running boiler, and subjected to strong chemical odors from supplies stored in the space.
Allegations and Evidence
Attorney Drew DeVinney, representing the three student plaintiffs and their parents, shared video clips and court records with PEOPLE that purportedly show the interior conditions of the boiler room. The complaint further alleges the paraprofessional at times used his body to barricade the door and prevent students from exiting. Multiple school staff members are alleged to have threatened or instructed that students be taken to the "dungeon" as a form of discipline.
“The children describe being locked in a dark boiler room on numerous occasions, surrounded by chemicals, scared, with the lights off and their shoes removed,” DeVinney said in a statement, calling the conduct "egregious."
Impact on Students
The complaint says some children became so frightened that they cried when asked about the experience, and later displayed sleep disturbances, nightmares and a fear of returning to school. The plaintiffs allege damages including past and future emotional distress, mental anguish and loss of enjoyment of life.
Investigation and District Response
Milwaukee Public Schools conducted an investigation in 2023 and determined the paraprofessional violated administrative and disciplinary policies. The district confirmed the employee’s termination in a letter dated Nov. 8, 2023; DeVinney provided a copy of that letter to PEOPLE. In its statement, a district spokesperson said the district is "committed to maintaining safe and welcoming learning environments for all students and staff," but declined to comment on ongoing litigation.
DeVinney also alleges the district failed to report seclusion and restraint incidents to the state as required by law and says the only video produced by the district shows multiple staff members witnessing the alleged conduct without intervening.
Allegations in the Lawsuit
The civil complaint names several Thurston Woods staff members as defendants and brings claims including negligence by individual employees, negligence by Milwaukee Public Schools for hiring, training and supervision, and failure of staff to intervene. The suit seeks accountability and damages for the emotional harm the students endured.
If you suspect child abuse, contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child (1-800-422-4453) or visit www.childhelp.org. The hotline is toll-free, confidential and available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
