Son’s Suicide Prompts Connecticut Father to Sue Town

The father of a Montville, Connecticut high school sophomore who killed himself has filed a notice that he intends to sue the town and the school district for negligence, alleging his son was driven to suicide by bullying.

Lawyers for Jose Mendes, the father of Joseph Mendes, filed the notice with the town clerk’s office last week. It alleges the town and school district didn’t promptly intervene in the bullying incident and failed to properly investigate a Jan. 20 altercation between Joseph Mendes and other students.

The Day of New London reports that the notice also alleges the school failed to investigate Joseph Mendes’ condition and symptoms of distress.

The 15-year-old student died on Jan. 28 of a gunshot wound to the head.

The mayor and superintendent declined comment.