Two lawsuits have been filed against the Akron City School District, superintendent and several staff members after the school staff allegedly allowed a man impersonating a peace officer, who was later sentenced prison, to come on school grounds and handcuff students as part of the "Scared Straight" program.
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A lawsuit alleges staff at the Akron City School District allowed Christopher Hendon, 26, to come on school grounds at the Leggett Community Learning Center (Leggett CLC) and conduct the "Scared Straight" program.
According to the lawsuit, Hendon openly carried a gun and wore an all-black police uniform with a badge that was partially covered with black tape while on school property, both lawsuits state.
Hendon was later indicted on 61 felony counts and pleaded guilty on March 7, 2018, to seven counts of kidnapping, six counts of abduction, 15 counts of impersonating a police officer and three counts of illegal conveyance of a deadly weapon.
The lawsuit was filed by the mother of the victim who is seeking $24 million after she claims her son's constitutional rights were violated and he was targeted by Hendon because of his skin color and disabilities.
In April 2017, while in the school's "private room," Hendon grabbed the student's shirt, threw him and pinned him against a brick wall, the lawsuit alleges.
The lawsuit also states that Hendon took the victim and two other students behind a stage in the cafeteria at Leggett CLC and forced them to do pushups, jumping jacks and other physical exercises.
On other occasions, Hendon allegedly handcuffed students while they were on school property in front of teachers and other employees.
A second lawsuit alleges Hendon took another student off school grounds with the permission of staff member after the student was called to staff member's office.
On April 14, 2017, while in a private room at the school, Hendon grabbed the student, handcuffed him behind his back and put him in a chair while he allegedly verbally abused and threatened him, the lawsuit states.
While having the victim in his private vehicle on school grounds, Hendon told him "If you try to run, I will taser you," the lawsuit states.
Hendon took the victim to the Summit County Juvenile Detention Center and attempted to take him to Summit County Jail.
According to the lawsuit, no one from the school contacted the boy's father about the event. He found out through reports published by the media.
The second lawsuit also states that Hendon put handcuffs on the student while in the presence of other students and teachers.
Akron Public Schools provided the following comment to News 5:
“Akron Public Schools withholds comment on the Hendon case so as not to affect, in any way, the outcome of actual or potential litigation."
During the Summit County Sheriff's investigation, it was determined Hendon was not a certified peace officer in the State of Ohio or anywhere else. Thirteen children were victims of Hendon's illegal conduct.
On April 24, 2017, a search warrant was executed on Hendon's home where authorities found weapons, handcuffs, police insignias and law enforcement equipment.
In March of 2018, Hendon was sentenced to five years and 11 months in prison after pleading guilty to impersonating a police officer and kidnapping in connection to the incidents mentioned in the lawsuits.
