Hassan (name changed for this story to maintain privacy), a high school student in the Seattle Public School District has been forced to change school districts because of the uncomfortable environment that was created when he was falsely accused of stealing from another student’s locker at his former school.

Hassan was told that he had been caught stealing on camera; however when his mother called and asked to see the video, her request was denied.

She later found out there was no such video, and that in fact the entire accusation was based upon another student’s singular complaint. Hassan has vehemently denied the accusation. He is a good student and has no previous disciplinary record.

Hassan's mother had a difficult time speaking with the vice principal when they met, and was especially disheartened when he accused her son of being a criminal.

When she asked to speak with the principal, he refused. She was told that her son would no longer be allowed in the gym area, which is difficult because he plays for the school’s basketball team. He was also only permitted to walk through certain hallways at certain times, or would otherwise need to have an escort.

These restrictions became an unbearable burden for the student and began to interrupt his ability to learn and function in the same way as other students at his school. His older brother testifies that he would often come home from school crying from all the stress that this accusation and its consequences had caused for him. Finally as a result, he switched school districts and now attends a high school in a nearby district.

CAIR-WA was contacted by Hassan’s mother when she decided to report what had happened to her son. She felt that he had been unfairly treated and wanted CAIR-WA’s help with pursuing a complaint against the school.

After having her sign an Information Release Statement, CAIR-WA wrote and mailed a Public Records Request to the Seattle School District’s Public Records Officer.

Click here to read the letter sent by CAIR-WA

We asked for all records, both internal and external, that pertained to the discipline of her son between August 2011 and present. This included policies related to his restrictions; records in which he was accused of stealing items from another student's locker; records relating to the attempts of his family to contact the high school and district staff regarding the above issues; and records of his behavioral and academic record.

In response to our letter we have thus far received the easily accessible written rules of student conduct and school policies; the documents which are specific to this case are on their way. Once we have those documents, we will review and discuss the details of the case with Hassan and his family.

It is our hope to work cooperatively with the district staff until suitable redress has been achieved which will both satisfy the needs of this family and ensure that their situation will not be experienced by others in the future.

Until that point has been reached, CAIR-WA will continue to both monitor and actively work to reach these goals. This story digest will be updated periodically to reflect changes and, hopefully, resolution in this case and others.