Indianapolis Teacher Accused of Organizing 'Fight Club' with 7-Year-Old Students

Julious Johnican, a former second-grade teacher at George Washington Carver School in Indianapolis, is facing a lawsuit alleging that he orchestrated a months-long 'fight club' with his 7-year-old students, including physically restraining and threatening a special needs student during a recorded beating in his classroom.

The lawsuit, filed by the mother of the victim, Corrie Horan, claims that Johnican permitted, incited, and facilitated physical assaults against her son, who has ADHD. Video footage emerged showing a student being physically restrained and beaten by another student, with Johnican allegedly encouraging the violence from behind the camera.

According to the lawsuit, there were at least three beatings and various forms of physical harm and bullying within Johnican's classroom. The teacher is accused of holding the victim while allowing other students to punch, hit, and kick him. Horan alleges that Johnican recorded at least one of these assaults on his phone.

Why this matters: This disturbing case highlights the importance of ensuring the safety and well-being of students in the classroom, particularly those with special needs. It also raises concerns about the screening and supervision of teachers entrusted with the care of young children.

The victim's mother reported the abuse to the school administration, but Johnican allegedly dismissed the allegations. It was only during a parent-teacher conference that Johnican inadvertently showed Horan a video of her son being attacked, revealing the teacher's role in instigating and encouraging the violence.

The Indianapolis Public Schools district has stated that it took immediate action once it learned of the allegations, suspending Johnican and then accepting his resignation before termination proceedings could begin. The Indiana Department of Child Services has investigated the incident and validated the student's claims.

Horan's lawsuit alleges discrimination, negligent care, negligent hiring, retention, and supervision, and inadequate policies and protection by the school. She is seeking a jury trial and unspecified monetary damages for the psychological and emotional trauma inflicted on her son, who has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and is now being homeschooled. The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department has opened an investigation into the allegations at the request of the county prosecutor's office.

Key Takeaways

• Former teacher Julious Johnican accused of orchestrating 'fight club' with 7-year-old students
• Johnican physically restrained and threatened a special needs student during recorded beatings
• Victim's mother reported abuse, but Johnican dismissed allegations until video evidence emerged
• School district suspended Johnican, accepted his resignation, and authorities investigated claims
• Victim's mother filed lawsuit alleging discrimination, negligence, and inadequate policies by school