A 6-year-old girl was a target of repeated racial harassment and violent bullying at Ashford Park Elementary School in Atlanta, Georgia. Even after several complaints, when these attacks didn’t stop, the family asserted that the attacks were not isolated incidents. They were part of a broader systemic failure within the school.
Parents of the little girl have finally filed a lawsuit against the school and have demanded the authorities address racial hostility and protect vulnerable students. As a last resort, Cathea and Albenis Terminio have filed a federal lawsuit against the DeKalb County School District.
The lawsuit states that the harassment began shortly after the child’s enrollment in 2023. And they intensified over the school year. The legal complaint states that the situation was not only racially charged, but it was also indicative of inaction and ignorance on the administration’s part. The inability of the school admin to interfere led the racism and abuse to escalate.
There are multiple events mentioned in the suit. There have been verbal assaults that include racial slurs and several instances of physical aggression. One of the most severe attacks allegedly took place in 2024. During this, several classmates physically assaulted the young girl while shouting the word “attack.”
DeKalb County, Georgia: Parents Sue After They Say 6 Year Old Daughter Was Racially Attacked At School: It’s Disturbing
Cathea & Albenis Terminio Say Their 6 Year Old Daughter Was Racially, Physically Attacked. I Would Take My Child Out Of Dangerous Ashford Park Elementary
— Johnsonvenida3 (@johnsonvenida3) May 21, 2025
The Terminios claim that they made several complaints to the school, but every time, their concerns were ignored or dismissed. The family alleges they were met with indifference and hostility and received no support.
Cathea Terminio said that they had met the administrators and teachers numerous times. But all their attempts were futile. She claimed these instances of ignorance led to their daughter being unsafe in the school.
In response to the suit, the DeKalb County School District has issued a general statement. It reiterates its commitment to student safety and nondiscrimination. The message is very generic and doesn’t even have a direct response to the suit filed by the family. Even critics argue that the district’s response lacks transparency and does not directly address the specific concerns raised by the Terminio family.
Students Charged After Violent Altercation with Teacher at DeKalb County High School
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. High School Incident
April 22, 2025
DeKalb County, GeorgiaPresident Trump is putting law & order back in the classroom.@realDonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/ZovtaM7tBi
— Tony Seruga (@TonySeruga) April 25, 2025
Community response has been polarized. There are few residents who have expressed support for the family, while the Terminio family has faced hostility from others.
The lawsuit has raised urgent questions about the environment at Ashford Park Elementary. This lawsuit has brought out several issues with the school. The school has a reportedly low teacher certification rate. On top of that, the school’s demographic makeup puts students of color in the minority. This has led critics to question whether the institution is adequately equipped to manage issues of racial equity and student welfare.
A DeKalb County school has a policy that dictates hairstyles for its Black students.
They even have a wall of “appropriate” hair styles versus “appropriate” hairstyles. pic.twitter.com/BABeSyDzku
— zellie (@zellieimani) August 2, 2019
Legal experts and child advocacy groups have suggested that the case may trigger broader investigations. One has to look into the history of policies of DeKalb County School District on bullying, racial discrimination, and staff accountability.
Many see the lawsuit as a call for systemic change. It is not only about the Termini family anymore. It is also about providing students of all backgrounds a safe environment to learn and grow.
As the case proceeds through the legal system, it may set a precedent for how schools handle racial harassment claims.
