The ACLU sues Jay County school officials a second time for violating students’ privacy during an invasive search

Indianapolis, Indiana – On behalf of a student named S.H., who was forced to reveal her bra and chest during two intrusive searches conducted in front of several school administrators, including Bradley Milleman, the dean of students at Jay County Jr.-Sr. High School, the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana filed a second lawsuit on Thursday.

The ACLU of Indiana filed a complaint alleging that S.H. was searched twice by the school nurses and dean of students in an apparent attempt to find a vape. Dean Milleman stroked the back of the student’s bra clasp during one search, and the student had to expose her cleavage during another. The lawsuit alleges that S.H. suffered emotional and mental suffering as a result of his extremely invasive search, which violates the Fourth Amendment.

Ten days have passed since a different student came forward and filed a complaint with comparable allegations.

“The fact that this has happened to multiple young girls at Jay County High School is extremely disturbing. Being made to expose herself in front of school officials is a nightmare for any young girl, and is certainly a nightmare for any parent,” said Torry Hernandez, the plaintiff’s father. “This is clearly a pattern and there must be consequences.”

“The searches being conducted at Jay County Jr. Sr. High School are completely unreasonable and have caused emotional harm to these young girls,” said Ken Falk, legal director at the ACLU of Indiana. “Schools are not constitutional dead zones and we are hopeful that the court will hold these school officials accountable.”