Mother blames school board for son's injuries

WHEELING – A Wheeling mother has brought suit against the local school district on her child’s behalf, alleging an assault.

Lori Byhanna, as the legal guardian of Tyler Byhanna, filed a lawsuit Feb. 11 in Ohio Circuit Court against the Ohio County Board of Education, citing negligence in personal injury to her son.

According to the complaint, Tyler Byhanna, a student at Wheeling Park High School, was attacked by another student in the school lunchroom on Feb. 6, 2014; it maintains that the incident took place in front of an assistant principal and was filmed by a third student.

The suit states that, as a result, Tyler Byhanna suffered physical injuries and emotional distress, that the school system had a responsibility to provide a safe environment and that school employees were remiss in failing to prevent the attack.

The plaintiffs seek compensation for damages plus attorney fees and costs. They are represented by attorney David L. Delk Jr. of Grove & Delk in Wheeling. The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge David J. Sims.

Ohio Circuit Court case number: 15-C-47