With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today during our fall member drive.
Teenager Body Slammed By LA Sheriff’s Deputy Files Claim For Damages
Lisa Bloom (r), the family attorney, speaks alongside MiKayla Robinson (l) and her mother, Neesh Robinson (center), at a protest in September.
(
Emily Elena Dugdale
/
LAist
)
Lancaster High School student MiKayla Robinson has filed a claim for damages with the Antelope Valley Union High School District and Los Angeles County in response to the 16-year-old being body slammed at school by an L.A. Sheriff’s deputy in August.
The claim alleges that Deputy Daniel Acquilano — the school resource officer — body slammed and straddled Robinson after she refused to give her phone to him and walked away.
The incident was caught on video and went viral.
17/ The Antelope Valley Union High School District school board voted in July to keep deputies on campus.
— Emily Elena Dugdale (she/her) (@eedugdale) September 29, 2021
But in August, a video of 16-year-old MiKayla Robinson being body-slammed by a deputy at Lancaster High School went viral, reigniting the debate. pic.twitter.com/RRalZ7XEGm
Support for LAist comes from
The video prompted protests and compelled the Sheriff’s Department to issue a statement that said Robinson “physically resisted” the deputy. The statement said the department is conducting “an in-depth review of the policy and tactics” used and will “take appropriate action.”
According to the complaint, Acquilano detained Robinson and drove her, handcuffed, to the Lancaster sheriff’s station. It alleges Robinson was denied the opportunity to speak to her mother while at the station, and was subsequently taken to Nidorf Juvenile Hall in Sylmar, nearly 50 miles away.
The claim says Robinson’s mother was finally notified to pick up her daughter around 8 p.m. that night.
'Mocking, Teasing, And Harassing'
The complaint alleges that school staff members posted “mocking, bullying, harassing, and humiliating” comments on social media in response to the viral video.
It says when Robinson returned to school in early September, Acquilano “continued to engage in highly inappropriate conduct by mocking, teasing, and harassing” her. According to the claim, Robinson spent just one day back at school, and is now too afraid and anxious to return.
Support for LAist comes from
“The conduct has deprived MiKayla of her right of equal access to educational benefits and opportunities,” the claim states.
A claim is the first step before the filing of a lawsuit.
On Sept. 10, a Sheriff's Department spokesperson said Deputy Acquilano remained on duty at Lancaster High School. On Thursday, Lancaster Sheriff's Station Capt. John Lecrivain said he couldn't comment on Acquilano's status because of the pending litigation.
The complaint cites LAist and ProPublica’s investigation into sheriff’s deputies on Antelope Valley Union High School campuses, which found that in 2019 they disproportionately stopped and cited Black students.
The Antelope Valley Union High School District and the county did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the claim for damages
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The study found recipients spent nearly all the money on basic needs like food and transportation, not drugs or alcohol. -
Kevin Lee's Tokyo Noir has become one of the top spots for craft-inspired cocktails. -
A tort claim obtained by LAist via a public records request alleges the Anaheim procurement department lacks basic contracting procedures and oversight. -
Flauta, taquito, tacos dorados? Whatever they’re called, they’re golden, crispy and delicious. -
If California redistricts, the conservative beach town that banned LGBTQ Pride flags on city property would get a gay, progressive Democrat in Congress. -
Most survivors of January's fires face a massive gap in the money they need to rebuild, and funding to help is moving too slowly or nonexistent.
Best of LAist