ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. \u2013 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.<\/p>\n
The lawsuit says that the incident happened in January 2025 while the student \u2014 identified as Ishaan Kottapalli \u2014 was still enrolled at Magnolia School.<\/p>\n
At the time, Kottapalli was in the care of Ricky Hightower, a teacher\u2019s aide\/caregiver to special-needs students, the lawsuit continues.<\/p>\n
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However, Hightower allegedly bit Kottapalli, causing \u201cvisible bite marks and an open wound,\u201d Kottapalli\u2019s family said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a direct result of the bite, (Kottapalli) required medical evaluation, wound care, and testing for infectious disease exposure,\u201d the lawsuit reads. \u201cAnd (Kottapalli) suffered pain, emotional distress, and other damages.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to court records, the incident sparked an investigation at the school, and Hightower\u2019s actions were described as \u201cintentional, willful, and offensive.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Now, Kottapalli\u2019s family is accusing Hightower of battery and the district of negligence in supervision\/training and retention.<\/p>\n
As such, the lawsuit seeks compensation, the amount of which may be proven in a jury trial.<\/p>\n
No additional information about the incident was provided in the lawsuit, including any circumstances behind the bite.<\/p>\n
The full lawsuit can be read below.<\/p>\n
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