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Teen says she was expelled after reporting sexual assault at school

FAYETTE COUNTY, Ga. — A teenage girl says she was expelled after another student grabbed her by the neck and assaulted her at school.

The girl told Channel 2 Investigative Reporter Mark Winne the incident happened at Fayette County High School.

“She went to them for help, and they did the opposite,” the girl’s mother said.

One of her lawyers, Suri Chadha Jimenez, said his 16-year-old client was punished after she talked to a counselor.

“I came to them and they did me wrong. I told them what happened and I still got in trouble for it,” the girl said.

Jimenez said the girl was expelled for engaging in a type of sex act on campus.

“The only reason they know about this is because my client was crying out for help,” Jimenez said.

According to Jimenez, the girl had a crush on a male student who lured her to an alcove after school.

Jimenez said the male pressured her to perform the act, despite her initial refusals. He said the male grabbed the girl by the neck twice.

“The first time it wasn’t harsh. But the second time I fell against the door and the well,” she said.

Eventually the girl, who is learning-disabled, gave into the pressure.

“Ultimately, he coerced her to doing something she did not want to do. We provided them with text messages,” Jimenez said.

He said a teacher noticed her crying the next day, and urged her to talk to a counselor. According to Jimenez, the counselor took it to administration, and a tribunal of three women voted to expel the student.

“I was crying,” the girl said.

A spokesperson for Fayette County Schools told Channel 2 Action News, “We do not comment on student discipline.”