The mother of one of four students at the center of a controversy over their transfer to a New Progressive Party (PNP) political activity in Camuy filed a civil lawsuit on Monday, November 9, seeking at least $800,000 for alleged emotional and reputational harm to her 16-year-old son. The suit was filed in the Carolina Court of First Instance against commentator Ray Cruz Santiago and Joel A. Osorio Chiclana, president of the Loíza Municipal Legislature.
It also contains allegations against Loíza Mayor Julia Nazario Fuentes, although her name does not appear in the initial list of defendants. The four students attend the Segunda Unidad Belén Blanco de Zequeira school in Loíza and went to the event on October 14. The suit says public statements about the trip led to the teen being mocked, insulted with homophobic slurs and bullied at school.
It states: "Today, in the hallways of his school, they single him out with homophobic insults for something that never happened." The suit claims the mother knew of and authorized the trip after a call on the night of October 13 from the PNP’s Loíza vice president, who was also a school counselor, and that she stayed in contact with her son.
It also alleges the mothers of the other three students were informed and authorized their participation. The suit seeks no less than $650,000 for the minor, including an estimated $100,000 for present and future psychological treatment, plus at least $150,000 for the mother’s own damages and special expenses.