Mother suing HWDSB for $1M after daughter partially severs finger at school

Caution: The images in the video are graphic, they were shared by the child’s mother, who is also demanding sweeping changes in policy and staff.

The mother of a four-year-old girl is suing the Hamilton District School Board (HWDSB) for $1 million after her daughter suffered injuries including a partially severed finger.

READ MORE: Hamilton police investigate bomb threats at 2 public high schools

Today, Sjanita Harrison stood outside the HWDSB with supporters by her side. Harrison says it’s unclear if life ever will be the same again for her 5-year-old daughter Autymn Rose after she nearly lost part of her right-hand finger in an alleged bully attack at her school.

Harrison says, “it’s been a long six months. I want my life back, I want my daughter’s finger back.” Harrison has launched a $1 million lawsuit against the public board about the incident at Prince of Wales school last November.

A statement of claim says when Autymn Harrison was in the bathroom during lunch break at that time, “two other children came into the bathroom and got into an altercation…” and “as a result of the altercation, one of the bullies slammed a door on A.H., crushing her hand and causing the tip of her finger to be amputated, requiring immediate medical attention.”

READ MORE: Six Nations Police arrest a 12-year-old after threats made to school

When contacted by the school, Harrison says she was re-directed to the hospital when staff called an ambulance. Harrison says she arrived before her injured daughter, who was with medics only, and no one from the school. Autymn then required surgery.

Harrison says, “my baby girl deserved dignity, and proper treatment from school personnel, yet the school failed to provide me with truthful, accurate, proper documentation of the incident.”

Spokesperson Shawn McKillop says he can’t provide comment about the lawsuit
but the school board apologizes for the incident and an internal investigation is underway. He says, “we want to express compassion to the family and the student for the injury that was sustained and we are taking in their feedback.”

READ MORE: Glendale Secondary School receives 3rd bomb threat of the month

Harrison and others are demanding action including compensation and the firing of staff tied to the incident. Harrison and supporters are also calling for more systemic changes at the board, some of them include a protocol for students experiencing medical crises and a re-integration plan for those same students. Harrison says while Autymn is showing good spirits, she’s still healing and no longer attending school with the HWDSB.

The HWDSB says it is reviewing its policies.