Family sues Roman Catholic Diocese of Lafayette, alleging unaddressed bullying at Carmel school 

A family has filed a lawsuit against the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lafayette that accuses the diocese of failing to address repeated bullying and sexual harassment its child allegedly faced as a student at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic School in Carmel. 

The lawsuit was filed Monday in Hamilton Superior Court against the diocese and four staff members at the Catholic school. The family is suing under pseudonyms to protect the identity of the student, according to a press release.  

“We are aware that a civil lawsuit has been brought against the Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana regarding Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic School,” Max Dryer, director of communications for the diocese, told The Indiana Lawyer in an emailed statement. “Diocesan leadership takes seriously the safety and well-being of all our students and their families. Because the legal process is ongoing, and out of respect for all parties involved, no additional comments will be made at this time. We ask the community for continued prayers and appreciate their patience as this matter proceeds.” 

The Indiana Lawyer reached out to the staff members who were named defendants in the lawsuit but did not immediately hear back.  

“A school that promises parents a safe, faith-based environment has a duty to deliver one,” attorney Tammy Meyer, who is representing the family in the case, said in a press release. “This family did everything right. They reported the abuse again and again, and they were met with excuses instead of action. When the adults entrusted with a child’s safety look away from sexual harassment and assault, they leave that child to absorb harm no student should ever have to endure. We intend to hold the Diocese and negligent leaders at the school accountable.” 

According to the complaint, the bullying began in the 2024-2025 school year when the student was in seventh grade. At that time, another student started harassing the child by calling him “weak,” “ugly” and “gay,” among other things, the suit says. Other students joined in and made fun of him for being a vegetarian; on at least one occasion, students placed meat in his food so he couldn’t eat lunch, according to court documents.  

During the 2025-2026 school year, the bullying intensified and became sexual in nature, court documents state. In November 2025, the child was allegedly attacked by two students in a locker room during school hours, but no school employee intervened.  

Some students also made sexual threats about the student’s younger sister, who was a student at the same school, the complaint says.  

In December, other incidents of physical harassment occurred, including an instance in which a student pulled down the boy’s pants and underwear during gym class, according to the lawsuit.  

The student reported the bullying to the school principal on Dec. 9, 2025, but the principal minimized the conduct, according to the suit.  

The principal assured the student’s parents that he would impose severe discipline against the bullies, but the students remained in the victim’s classes and appeared to receive no punishment, according to court documents.  

The day after the principal met with the boy’s parents, students once again harassed the child and accused him of being a snitch, the lawsuit states.  

The school allegedly failed to report the bullying and harassment to the Indiana Department of Child Services or law enforcement, which is required by law.  

The boy’s parents met with the principal, assistant principal and the priest who oversees the school and were allegedly told the harassment was just the students “joking around” and that “boys will be boys.”  

Fearing for their child’s safety, the parents had their son finish the semester through report learning, the suit says. The student was sent to receive mental health treatment and two of his therapists reported the bullying to the department of child services. 

The student was diagnosed with anxiety and severe post-traumatic stress disorder, according to the complaint.  

The boy’s physicians advised that he finish the school year remotely and when his parents informed the school of this decision, the school allegedly withdrew the student from the school without notice.  

According to the his parents, their child is not the only student to have dealt with repeated bullying at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic School. 

The student’s family is suing the defendants for negligence and emotional distress. They’re also seeking damages in an amount that will fairly compensate the victim for his past and future distress, as well as compensatory and punitive damages. 

The case is James Doe and Julie Doe, Individually and as parents and next friends of John Doe, a minor v. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana, Inc., Trudy Schouten Young, Fr. Richard Doerr et al, 29D02-2606-CT-007199.