Family of Mass. boy accused of sexual harassment in 1st grade case gets $180,000 settlement

Mass. 1st-grade sex harassment case settled

BROCKTON, Mass. — The family of a Massachusetts boy suspended after school officials accused him of sexually harassing a girl in his first-grade class has settled a lawsuit against the city of Brockton for $180,000.

Under terms of the agreement, the now 10-year-old boy will get $160,000 and his parents will get $20,000, according to The Enterprise of Brockton.

His mother, Berthena Dorinvil, refused to comment on the settlement but said her son is “doing great.” Their lawyer says the family is satisfied.

Mayor Linda Balzotti says she hopes the city can learn from the case.

The then 6-year-old boy was suspended in 2006 after putting two fingers inside the waistband of the girl’s pants. The family called it horseplay after the girl touched the boy first.

Information from: The Enterprise, www.enterprisenews.com