A Payson, Utah family has sued the Nebo School District, alleging officials ignored repeated reports of anti-LGBTQ+ bullying and failed to prevent a foretold assault on their child. The complaint says the student faced harassment from 2022 to 2024, was threatened in 2024, and suffered a concussion and other injuries after an attack that same afternoon. The family withdrew the student for safety and alleges violations of Title IX and federal civil-rights law, seeking a jury trial and damages.
Utah Family Sues Nebo School District After Years Of Anti‑LGBTQ+ Bullying And Alleged Preventable Assault
Payson Junior High in Utah
A family in Payson, Utah, has filed a lawsuit against the Nebo School District alleging school officials failed to protect their LGBTQ+ child from years of harassment and a recent, preventable physical assault, local ABC affiliate KTVX and Advocate report.
Lawsuit Details
The complaint says administrators at Payson Junior High ignored repeated reports of bullying, threats and physical intimidation directed at the student from 2022 through 2024 because of her LGBTQ+ identity. The family says they notified school staff and administrators multiple times, and in 2024 they informed officials that one student had expressly threatened to assault her after school. According to the complaint, despite that specific warning, school officials did not intervene and the attack occurred later that same afternoon.
The suit states the student suffered a concussion, a bloody nose, contusions to her head and neck, and significant emotional trauma. The family says they ultimately withdrew her from Payson Junior High for her safety. Nebo School District did not respond to KTVX’s request for comment.
Legal Claims And Relief Sought
The complaint alleges the district’s negligence violated Title IX and federal civil-rights law. The family is seeking a jury trial and damages for medical expenses, pain and suffering, emotional distress, litigation costs, and attorney fees.
"This was not an isolated incident," said the family’s attorney, Zachary Myers. "There was a clear pattern of bullying and harassment, repeated warnings to school officials, and a specific warning that the assailant was planning to attack our client."
Context
The Utah lawsuit follows a similar complaint filed earlier this month in Norfolk, Virginia, where a young transgender woman alleges prolonged bullying and an assault that left her with permanent injuries. That suit also claims school officials ignored repeated reports and failed to implement additional protections despite explicit threats.
This report originally appeared on Advocate and was also reported by local outlet KTVX.
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