A chemistry lesson gone horribly wrong at Volcano Vista High School in Albuquerque, New Mexico, resulted in a startling incident that left a teenage girl permanently crippled.
Loviata Mitchell, a 45-year-old chemistry teacher, orchestrated a lesson on ‘metal and melding’ by introducing samurai swords into the classroom, leading to catastrophic consequences.
Girl’s Hand Severed in Classroom Mishap
Mitchell reportedly cleared desks from the classroom before initiating a series of two-minute sword bouts among her students. However, the situation quickly spiraled out of control when a katana severed the nerves and tendons in a girl’s hand just seconds into the exercise.
The teacher’s reaction, exclaiming ‘I’m in trouble!’ and ordering students to delete any recorded videos, only exacerbated the severity of the situation.
Despite a New Mexico school investigation concluding that Mitchell had broken no rules, legal action ensued as the 16-year-old’s family filed a lawsuit against both Mitchell and the school district.
The surgery performed on the girl’s hand proved inadequate to repair the damage, leaving her permanently disabled.
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Legal Action in New Mexico
According to family attorney Jessica Hernandez, the injuries sustained by the teenager cause ongoing daily pain and hinder her ability to perform basic tasks. The surgeon even noted a visible mark in the bone where the sword had made contact, underscoring the severity of the incident.
The lawsuit details Mitchell’s conduct during the ill-fated lesson, alleging that she surprised students by pulling out a katana and a rapier, setting up a makeshift arena in the center of the class. While Mitchell supervised, two boys engaged in swordplay without protective gear, followed by the girl’s turn, facing a classmate identified as ‘DM.’
Tragically, the girl suffered a severe laceration across her hand and wrist, described as inconsistent with a ‘prop’ sword, leading to lasting repercussions.
In the aftermath of the incident, Mitchell allegedly instructed students not to disclose the true cause of the injury and attempted to contact the New Mexico school health office without success.
This alarming event serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safety protocols and responsible teaching practices within educational settings, underscoring the need for thorough investigations and accountability measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
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