North Penn School District Faces Lawsuit Over Middle School Stanley Cup Assault

In April 2024, a 12-year-old girl at Pennbrook Middle School in Montgomery County was violently attacked by a fellow seventh-grader wielding a metal Stanley cup, resulting in serious injuries including a concussion. The victim's family has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the North Penn School District and its Director of Special Education, Megan McGee-Heim, alleging the district ignored prior warnings about the assailant's history of violence and threats, including a "hit list" naming potential victims. Despite being aware of the attacker's documented aggressive behavior and threats, the district reportedly placed her in general education classes without adequate supervision or safeguards. The lawsuit accuses the district of "deliberate indifference" and violating the victim's Fourteenth Amendment rights by creating or enhancing the danger that led to the assault. The incident led to public outcry and concerns raised by parents about the district's failure to protect students, with the assailant subsequently being sent to a juvenile facility. The victim's family seeks compensation and a trial, highlighting systemic safety failings within the school district.