An Allentown middle school student claims he was beaten by school security guards, according to a federal lawsuit.

The student was attacked on October 14, 2022, during class Raub Secondary School in Allentown, according to the lawsuit filed Monday, Nov. 4.

The lawsuit says up to ten Allentown school district employees “believed to be security/personnel officers … unnecessarily and senselessly assaulted” the child, who was 4 feet 11 inches tall and weighed 80 pounds at the time, according to process.

Attorney Andrew Bonekemper of Blue Bell is representing the school district in the lawsuit. He did not respond to a message seeking comment. Messages to the district superintendent and school board president were also not returned.

The lawsuit does not provide context for the alleged fight. It identifies the student by initials, but does not specify the student’s age, gender, or grade level in middle school. The school serves children in grades six through eight.

The lawsuit was filed by an Allentown woman on behalf of the child. It does not write the relationship between the woman who filed the lawsuit and the child. Attorney Jerry Lindheim of Philadelphia filed the lawsuit. He did not respond to messages seeking clarification and more details about the allegations.

The lawsuit says the student suffered “severe orthopedic, neurological and emotional injuries” from the beating, though it does not provide further details. Nor does it clarify whether the student has fully recovered from his injuries.

The lawsuit accuses the school district and administrators of failing to train and regulate employees to prevent the beating. It accuses the school district of violating the child’s civil rights.

Lindheim is seeking unspecified damages of at least $50,000. The lawsuit was originally filed in Lehigh County District Court, but was transferred to federal court on Nov. 4.

Rudy Miller can be reached at [email protected].