High school admin. shared inappropriate meme of student, lawsuit alleges

SUSSEX COUNTY, Del. – Indian River School District (IRSD), Sussex Central High School (SCHS), and two administrators are being sued by a former student.

Lawsuit Filed

The lawsuit stems from an in-school altercation involving the student, Aniya Harmon.

“I want to see them not be able to work in any type of school district, around kids, because they should be able to make kids feel safe, and not make them uncomfortable in any type of way,” Harmon told 47 ABC WMDT. “In this situation, it definitely made me feel uncomfortable.”

Administrators Made Inappropriate Meme of Harmon, Suit Says

On May 17, 2023, Harmon was involved in a physical altercation with another student at SCHS. During the altercation, Harmon’s breast was exposed; all of which, was caught on school surveillance cameras.

In this newest lawsuit, SCHS Principal Bradley Layfield and Assistant Principal Matthew Jones are the two administrators named. Layfield and Jones are accused of “working together” to create a meme. That image is alleged to depict Janet Jackson’s face during the moment of her infamous 2004 Super Bowl incident, superimposed onto a still from school surveillance video of Harmon’s exposed body.

“I definitely do not want either of them working in a school setting, or any setting with children every again,” Harmon’s mother, Tasha White said.

Attorneys representing Harmon are calling Layfield and Jones’ alleged actions “completely unacceptable.”

“[It’s] a gross violation of Aniya’s privacy,” said attorney Emeka Igwe. “They are put in a position of public trust, and they have abused that trust. They should never be ever again involved in any school setting.”

Administrators Placed on Leave

Layfield doesn’t deny that he shared the surveillance images. His attorney, Thomas Neuberger, saying previously, “My client exercised his discretion on May 17th in sharing a surveillance video with professional staff with a need to know of a dangerous school fight… Dr. Layfield petitions the school board, under the First Amendment, for the redress of this grievance imposed on him, a respected long term member of the Sussex County community.”

Following the May incident, it was announced that two school administrators had been suspended in relation. Layfield later admitted to being one of the suspended administrators; he did not return to work for 12 weeks.

Calling For Criminal Investigation

Despite Layfield’s suspension, Harmon’s counsel say the administrators’ alleged actions, and the fact that they’re not out of a job, indicate much deeper issues in the school district. Harmon’s attorneys say they’re also hoping for a criminal investigation to be opened.

“[Administrators] are responsible for the safeguarding of these children’s morals, as well as their education and advancing that. These are administrators who are in high positions, who have abused the trust that the parents have posed in them,” said attorney Raj Srivatsan. “How can you expect any of the children in America to be safe, if they are entrusted to such governance? This is very serious conduct.”

Both Layfield and Jones are currently listed as Principal and Assistant Principal on the SCHS website. IRSD declined an interview, saying it does not comment on pending litigation.

Meanwhile, Neuberger maintains Layfield’s innocence.

Neuberger said in a statement in part, “My client had no part in creating or circulating any mime [sic] that day,” continuing in part, “For now, the lawsuit appears to be misdirected at my client and an exaggeration of alleged injuries, perhaps for financial reasons.  I have never heard that any mime [sic] was circulated on social media or anywhere else.”