The Epoch Times After a 12-year-old girl attempted suicide on school property twice after months of secret meetings with a school counselor, her parents have filed a lawsuit.
On Jan. 5, Wendel and Maria Perez received a call from Destiny Washington, who identified herself as a school counselor at Paterson Elementary School (PES) in Fleming Island, Florida, part of Clay County District Schools. Washington told Mr. and Mrs. Perez they needed to come to the school immediately. Washington said it was about their daughter, a sixth-grader, but would not reveal any further information.
When the Perezes arrived at the school they waited in the lobby for 20 minutes before someone came to escort them to a room where Washington, PES Principal John OâBrian, Vice Principal Courtney Schumacher, and a Clay County Schools Police officer were waiting. Mr. and Mrs. Perez were instructed to sit down. According to the federal lawsuit obtained by The Epoch Timesâfiled Jan. 24 by Child and Parental Rights Campaign, Inc. on behalf of Mr. and Mrs. PerezâWashington told the Perezes the reason they were called to the school was because their daughter âhad tried to commit suicide by hanging herself in the school restroom.â
Washington then informed the parents the reason why their daughter tried to kill herself was âbecause of her gender identity issueâ and the fact they would âwould not be in agreement with these changesâ because of âtheir Christian Catholic religious beliefs.â As the Perezes sat reeling, Washington stunned them again. The Jan. 5 suicide attempt was the second effort. Their daughter had also tried to hang herself the day before. Without explaining how the child survived the first attempt, Washington insisted school staff was not aware of the first attempt prior to the second.
According to the complaint, the daughter sought guidance from the counselor because she was being bullied. She liked video games, which is something her peers say boys do. A friend âconfided she thought she was transgender,â and the girl thought she could be transgender as well because âshe wanted to be strong and free âlike a boy.’â When the child went to speak to Washington, she saw âa lot of posters, literature, and other promotional materials related to LGBTQ âprideâ in Washintonâs office.â The girl âthought those materials were âcoolâ and asked Washington if she supported transgender people.â Washington said she did, at which point the child told Washington, âIn that case call me âMâ and âhe.ââ…
