slander/school's respondsibilty

[oonee]

What is the name of your state?MI

Over the weekend, my daughter had a friend stay here. On Monday, I could not get them to school because of my vehicle. To make a long story short. That morning the school called the mother of the child at work to report her as skipping. When the school called this mother, they informed the mother that a child from the bus stop had came into the office to report that my child and her child "must be skipping because they left the bus stop." Yes, they left the bus stop and came directly back to my home. It was raining and I had not been to the tire store yet to get tires put on my car that I just bought a couple weeks ago. The school then informed the mother of the other child that she should not allow her daughter at my home any more. That we (my husband and I) lack proper supervisory skills, a few other unmentionable statements were made to her, one about my middle son. The school official stated that the child, told her all about what goes on in my family and at my house. I believe I know the child that made these statements. The school official also notified the mother that the school will be having my household investigated because of the horrendous accusations that this other child made about our family.

First of all, I have no problem with CPS investigating my home. But does the school have the right to repeat these lies to others, especially the mother of the child that stayed over? Does the school have a right to inform a parent about where their children are aloud to visit? I realize the school has the right to report abuse, but if the alledged abuse being reported are complete lies, what are our rights? All in all, what are our rights regarding defamation of character/slander by not only the school, but by the child that has instigated the statement?

[BelizeBreeze]

Originally Posted by oonee

What is the name of your state?MI

Over the weekend, my daughter had a friend stay here. On Monday, I could not get them to school because of my vehicle. To make a long story short. That morning the school called the mother of the child at work to report her as skipping. When the school called this mother, they informed the mother that a child from the bus stop had came into the office to report that my child and her child "must be skipping because they left the bus stop." Yes, they left the bus stop and came directly back to my home. It was raining and I had not been to the tire store yet to get tires put on my car that I just bought a couple weeks ago. The school then informed the mother of the other child that she should not allow her daughter at my home any more. That we (my husband and I) lack proper supervisory skills, a few other unmentionable statements were made to her, one about my middle son. The school official stated that the child, told her all about what goes on in my family and at my house. I believe I know the child that made these statements. The school official also notified the mother that the school will be having my household investigated because of the horrendous accusations that this other child made about our family.

Your "Belief" and facts are two different things.

First of all, I have no problem with CPS investigating my home. But does the school have the right to repeat these lies to others, especially the mother of the child that stayed over?

Yep, they sure do.

Does the school have a right to inform a parent about where their children are aloud to visit?

Why not? Do you know of a law that says they can't? And what proof do you have that the school actually SAID this? None, from your post.

I realize the school has the right to report abuse, but if the alledged abuse being reported are complete lies, what are our rights?

You have the right to defend yourself.

All in all, what are our rights regarding defamation of character/slander by not only the school, but by the child that has instigated the statement?

You have no case. As a legally required reporter the school is well within their rights to inform the mother of the child about the truancy.

[oonee]

MI

Yes, I realize the school has the right about that notification. But do they have the right to repeat the allegations about my family by another child to the mother? These allegations are quite terrible and are complete lies. It was not the school that notified me about the allegations. It was the mother of the child. The school has not contacted me and the child's mother is also very upset about how the school is handling the lies that were told to her about my family.

[ablessin]

I thought that stuff was supposed to be kept confidential... that the parents are not supposed to know who intitated the call, etc.

The school can probably say what they want but the person on the other end of the phone doesn't have to abide by it!

Not that that makes it right. Because if it turns out to be untrue, it's very embarrassing!!! It'll be an un-supported case, from the sounds of things, and will be dropped by CPS.

But it's still upsetting for the family involved. Good luck to you with all of this.

[oonee]

It is very embarrassing to hear from a parent who intrusted you with their child for an entire weekend that a school secretary informed them that their child was receiving no supervision at your home, that she left her child with an unfit family and she should not allow her back. That all this information came from another child who went into the office to report a possible truancy (this child did brag that he/she was going to get them) and escalated it to the point of the school suspecting us of being "bad" parents. I did talk to the principle about the matter and he did not believe that someone from his building would tell another parent these things. I asked him to call the other parent to verify what was said.