A high school student is at the center of a lawsuit that raises serious questions about police conduct and school safety protocols. On April 25, 2025, Ciara Bryant filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana against Opelousas High School, St. Landry Parish School Board, Officer Ka’Leah Dorsey, and the City of Opelousas.
The case revolves around an incident on January 27, 2025, when a physical altercation broke out among students at Opelousas High School. During this event, Officer Ka’Leah Dorsey allegedly used a taser on J.B., a minor who was not involved in the fight but was present in the hallway where it occurred. The taser reportedly struck J.B.'s right eye, causing significant injury. According to the complaint, no medical assistance was provided by the school staff immediately following the incident; instead, J.B.'s mother had to take him to the hospital herself for treatment.
Ciara Bryant accuses Officer Dorsey and other defendants of excessive force and negligence under both federal and state laws. The lawsuit claims violations of civil rights under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and various state laws concerning false imprisonment, battery, assault, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. It alleges that Opelousas High School attempted to expel J.B. following the incident as part of a cover-up effort to protect itself from liability while falsely accusing him of participating in the altercation.
The plaintiff seeks compensatory damages for physical injuries and emotional distress suffered by J.B., as well as punitive damages against all defendants for their alleged misconduct. Additionally, Bryant requests reimbursement for medical expenses incurred due to her son's injuries and demands that the court declare violations of federal statutes by the defendants.
Representing Ciara Bryant is attorney James Word II from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The case has been assigned Case ID: 6:25-cv-00549-DCJ-CBW with Judge David C. Joseph presiding over proceedings.