Bullied student to testify in lawsuit against Volusia County schools

School district trying to show victim had history of instigating bullying

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – A Volusia County special needs student will take the stand Monday in a lawsuit filed claiming school leaders dis little to stop students from bullying him.

Dondre Jones says he was attacked by a group of boys in a school locker room at Holly Hill Middle School, where he was kicked and punched.  The boys reportedly also took down his pants and took pictures, which they threatened to post online.

Melissa Jones, Dondre's mother, took the stand early Friday, and said her son has tried to commit suicide at least twice.

"These attempts were made when?" asked attorneys for Volusia County Schools.

"Soon after the attack from those boys in the locker room," Jones replied.

Jones' testimony comes after several psychiatrists testified about Dondre's psychological conditions, which include attention deficit disorder so extreme that he has been declared disabled.

Dondre is now living at a boys group home in St. Augustine where he's receiving speci care, his mother said.

An area superintendent for Volusia County Schools testified the district has taken steps to make everyone in school more aware of bullying and encourages students and teachers to report it.


About the Author:

Erik Sandoval joined the News 6 team as a reporter in May 2013 and became an Investigator in 2020. During his time at News 6, Erik has covered several major stories, including the 2016 Presidential campaign. He was also one of the first reporters live on the air at the Pulse Nightclub shooting.

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