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What are schools legally required to tell parents about alleged assaults?

11Alive spoke with a legal analyst after investigating claims out of Clayton County

CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. — A student allegedly assaulted on a school campus: it reportedly happened at Mundy's Mill High School in Clayton County earlier in the week.

But when 11Alive asked the district to confirm what happened, we didn't get many answers. That made us wonder what schools are legally obligated to tell other parents in these situations.

This statement is the only reply we got from the Clayton County School District:

“Please be advised that the district is aware of allegations regarding inappropriate conduct and, in compliance with existing laws, is following standard protocol to address the investigation of these claims. As this is an active investigation, it is our practice to refrain from offering any further comment.”

But, with no confirmation or denial from the district, the question became: Is there a potential safety threat that parents aren't being told about?

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We spoke to 11Alive legal analyst Meg Strickler to get her perspective on the district's response.

"Each district has their own rules and regulations," she said. "There's not a state mandate; so, when an allegation is made, very early on, nothing is said."

Strickler said that when an assault is reported, law enforcement must be notified. In this case, we're told Clayton County Police responded to the call, but the school district's own police department is handling the case. And, for now, it isn't commenting.

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We asked Strickler if Georgia school districts are obligated to tell other parents when a child is allegedly harmed on school grounds.

"I think they want to make sure they understand what occurred and what has been alleged, first, before they make any public statement because going to parents is a public statement and they want to make sure that all parties involved are protected," Strickler said.

Strickler said an alleged assault is not the same as a bomb threat or a situation that would prompt a school lockdown, so it's handled differently based on policy.

"Once you have a criminal prosecution, and that's down the line, but the school made a statement that said 'X' and 'Y' turns out to be the fact that's problematic," she said.

Strickler said that when, or if, criminal charges are filed, then schools are obligated to share that information with parents and the student body - but not before.

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