The family of Amir Beeks filed a notice of claim June 23, which is the first step in a lawsuit. The claim faults Woodbridge teacher Bernadette McGrath for leaving the 10-year-old accused of the crime unattended after a tutoring session in the library, even though the boy had a history of violent behavior. The notice claims the teacher left him “in an agitated state despite knowledge of his dangerous propensities, instability and danger to others. She was assigned to tutor him and assure both his own safety as well as the safety of other patrons at the library.”
Plaintiff attorney Ken Javerbaum told the AP, “It boils down to a failure to properly supervise [the boy].” The 10-year-old has been charged with murder, felony murder, kidnapping, illegal weapons possession, and aggravated sexual assault.
Posted June 30, 2003.