ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – The Orange County School Board is now under fire after a student with autism was bitten by a staff member last year, according to a lawsuit filed on Monday.
The lawsuit says that the incident happened in January 2025 while the student — identified as Ishaan Kottapalli — was still enrolled at Magnolia School.
At the time, Kottapalli was in the care of Ricky Hightower, a teacher’s aide/caregiver to special-needs students, the lawsuit continues.
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However, Hightower allegedly bit Kottapalli, causing “visible bite marks and an open wound,” Kottapalli’s family said.
“As a direct result of the bite, (Kottapalli) required medical evaluation, wound care, and testing for infectious disease exposure,” the lawsuit reads. “And (Kottapalli) suffered pain, emotional distress, and other damages.”
According to court records, the incident sparked an investigation at the school, and Hightower’s actions were described as “intentional, willful, and offensive.”
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Now, Kottapalli’s family is accusing Hightower of battery and the district of negligence in supervision/training and retention.
As such, the lawsuit seeks compensation, the amount of which may be proven in a jury trial.
No additional information about the incident was provided in the lawsuit, including any circumstances behind the bite.
The full lawsuit can be read below.