Bullied teen sues Wisconsin Rapids School District - WAOW - Newsline 9, Wausau News, Weather, Sports

WISCONSIN RAPIDS (WAOW) - A former Lincoln High School wrestler has accused school officials of failing to protect him after he became a target of bullying, sexual and verbal abuse and harassment by other members of the team.

In a civil lawsuit filed in Wood County Circuit Court on Friday, the teen, identified only by his initials, seeks an unspecified amount of damages.

The teen's attorney, Christine Bremer Muggli of Wausau, said the Wisconsin Rapids School District violated its own policy that prohibits disability-based bullying and discrimination.

She said the school had a duty to "protect all of the students, not just the stars of the wrestling team."

Bremer Muggli said the teen, who is deaf, suffers horrible memories from the ordeal and is now attending Nekoosa High School.

Wisconsin Rapids School Supt. Colleen Dickmann said she had not seen the lawsuit and declined comment Friday.

Named as defendants were the Wisconsin Rapids School District, Dickmann, two principals, an assistant principal, the director of pupil services and three wrestling coaches.

Prosecutors charged four high schools wrestlers with disorderly conduct for alleged roles in the harassment.