Metzger Rosta LLP

10/16/2026

10/01/2026

An 11% drop in bullying—or an 11% drop in reporting?

Indiana's latest data shows fewer reported bullying incidents in schools. But when some schools report zero incidents, the numbers raise an important question: Are we seeing less bullying, or are incidents going unreported?

Accurate reporting is essential to understanding the scope of bullying and protecting students. Without meaningful accountability for identifying, documenting, and reporting incidents, lower numbers don't necessarily mean safer schools.

Students deserve more than good statistics. They deserve schools where bullying is recognized, reported, and addressed.

This is the second straight year that Indiana school corporations have reported a drop in bullying incidents. Indiana schools are required by law to track

08/19/2026

Attorneys Tammy Meyer and Catherine Michael recently spoke with FOX59’s Angela Ganote about a lawsuit filed on behalf of a former student of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and his family against school leaders and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana.

The lawsuit alleges that the student endured prolonged bullying and sexual harassment by classmates, including homophobic slurs, threats, sexual comments, and an incident in which classmates pulled down his shorts and underwear and exposed him to other students. The family alleges that school officials failed to adequately intervene despite repeated reports and that the family faced further consequences after seeking accountability.

Initially, the family sought to proceed under pseudonyms, but the Diocese objected. The parents did not make the decision to speak publicly lightly. After years as members of the parish community, and with their children having longstanding ties to the school, they are sharing their experience because they believe what happened to their son, and the response that followed, deserves accountability.

“We are proud to stand alongside this family as they seek answers and accountability through the legal process,” said attorney Tammy Meyer.

Thank you to Angela Ganote and FOX59 for giving the family an opportunity to share their story.

Watch the full FOX59 Now interview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1CUoj9qspE&list=PLZQREveriZQATHvqec2B-78mLZheWTWo-

07/21/2026

July is Bereaved Parents Awareness Month.

This month, we honor the children who are deeply loved and forever remembered, and we stand with the parents and families who carry that love every day.

To every bereaved parent: You are seen. Your child is remembered. 💙

07/10/2026

Connell Michael LLP and Metzger Rosta LLP have filed a lawsuit in Ohio on behalf of a former Lakota Local School District student alleging that a former teacher groomed and sexually abused her over the course of approximately three years while she was a student in the District.

The lawsuit further alleges that Lakota Local School District failed to recognize and respond to warning signs, failed to adequately supervise communications occurring through District technology, and failed to take appropriate action after the alleged abuse was discovered.

Our firms are actively investigating these allegations.

If you, your child, or someone you know attended Lakota Local School District and has information relevant to the allegations in this lawsuit, including information regarding inappropriate communications, boundary violations, or other concerning conduct involving school employees, we encourage you to contact Connell Michael LLP or Metzger Rosta LLP. Your information may be important to our ongoing investigation.

We are particularly interested in speaking with current or former students, parents, and former District employees who may have witnessed or reported similar conduct or who may have additional information relevant to this matter.

Recent media coverage of this case:

• WCPO: https://www.wcpo.com/news/local-news/lawsuit-lakota-teacher-groomed-and-sexually-abused-a-student-and-was-allowed-to-take-medical-leave-retire

• WLWT: https://www.wlwt.com/article/lakota-school-district-lawsuit-student-teacher-grooming/71888649

• FOX19: https://www.fox19.com/2026/07/08/lawsuit-claims-former-lakota-teacher-sexually-abused-student-district-allowed-quiet-retirement/

To speak with us, please contact:

Metzger Rosta LLP
Michele Wojnar – [email protected]
(317) 703-2170

Connell Michael LLP
Lori Elmlinger – [email protected]
(317) 333-6080

Please feel free to share this post so that it reaches anyone who may have relevant information.

07/01/2026

Were you at Washington Irving School #14 in Indianapolis during the 2025-2026 School Year? Metzger Rosta LLP and Connell Michael LLP are conducting an investigation into allegations that a former special education teacher physically abused vulnerable students while employed at Indianapolis Public Schools' Washington Irving Neighborhood School #14. Please read and share.

Our firms currently represent multiple children and their families in connection with abuse allegations of children at IPS Washington Irving Neighborhood School 14. Many of the children involved have significant disabilities and were unable to communicate or report what was allegedly happening to them. The allegations raise serious concerns about the safety of some of the school system’s most vulnerable students and whether warning signs were recognized, reported, addressed, or ignored.

Our investigation remains active, and we believe additional children, former employees, and other witnesses possess information. We are seeking to determine the full scope of the alleged misconduct, whether other students were affected, and what was known by school officials during employee Hunter Sesemann’s employment.

The following news reports provide additional background regarding the criminal investigation of former teacher Hunter Sesemann:

• FOX59: IPS teacher investigated after excessive force complaint https://fox59.com/news/indycrime/ips-teacher-investigated-after-excessive-force-complaint/
• WIBC: Tort Alleges IPS Teacher Repeatedly Abused Autistic Student https://wibc.com/844464/tort-alleges-ips-teacher-repeatedly-abused-autistic-student/

If your child attended Washington Irving Neighborhood School #14, particularly during the time Hunter Sesemann worked there, or if you have information regarding his conduct or the School's response to concerns about his behavior, we encourage you to contact our offices. Even information that may seem insignificant could prove critical in helping us establish the full extent of what occurred and ensuring that every affected family has an opportunity to share their own experiences and aid in the investigation.

To speak with us, please contact:

Metzger Rosta LLP
Michele Wojnar – [email protected]
(317) 703-2170

Connell Michael LLP
Lori Elmlinger – [email protected]
(317) 333-6080
Please feel free to share this post so that it reaches anyone who may have relevant information.