Boy Assaulted By Hawaii School Worker: Suit

A lawsuit alleges a Hilo, Hawaii elementary school student was assaulted by a school employee.

The lawsuit was filed last week by the boy’s father. The lawsuit alleges Hilo Union School Student Activities Coordinated Sharon Furstenwerth hit the then-9-year-old boy two years ago while he was eating lunch.

Furstenwerth told the Hawaii Tribune-Herald she didn’t assault the boy. She also says she hasn’t seen the lawsuit.

The lawsuit also names Principal Patti Andrade-Spencer as a defendant, claiming she failed to report the assault. Andrade-Spencer referred comments to the Department of Education. Spokeswoman Donalyn Dela Cruz says the department can’t comment because it hadn’t been served with the lawsuit.

The suit claims when the boy’s parents confronted Furstenwerth and Andrade-Spencer, Furstenwerth hit the boy again to “demonstrate” how she whacked him.