MHY Family Services failed to warn a speech specialist about the aggressive and violent tendencies of a 14-year-old male student with autism spectrum disorder who attacked and injured her at Longmore Academy in Mars, and failed to protect her, according to her lawsuit.

The suit filed Monday, June 24, by Laurie McKernan and her husband, Timothy, claims MHY, which owns and operates Longmore Academy, was negligent by not warning her about the student’s behavioral problems, aggressive and violent tendencies, potential triggers and the dangers of being near or working with the student.

On Sept. 13, she said she was invited to the autism spectrum disorder classroom at Longmore to provide speech language pathology services to students with autism.

The classroom was loud with many disruptions and distractions, such as a video playing on a screen, art teachers conducting a class, and teachers and paraprofessionals instructing other students, according to the suit.

A short time into the lesson, she said the student rose from his seat, charged toward her and struck her more than 20 times in her upper shoulder, upper back and neck areas using both fists, according to the suit.

In the lawsuit, she said she tried to escape, but the student chased her across the room and continued punching her until she was eventually able to escape the room.

Multiple MHY employees and representatives were withing 10 feet of the attack, but none attempted to intervene, according to the suit.

The student was not disciplined, remained in the classroom after the incident and his conduct was reinforced by an MHY agent who asked him ‘Do you feel better now?,’ according to the suit.

The student responded affirmatively and the agent said it was “good” that he felt better, according to the suit.

McKernan claims MHY employees, representatives and agents were aware the student posed a potential threat to visitors like her and did not warn her about his history of aggressive, violent and dangerous behavior or the prospect of danger while near or working with him.

She said no measures to prevent or mitigate the attack were in place, and no one implemented a plan to prevent, mitigate or stop the attack.

As a result of the attack, she said she has significant injuries to her shoulders, neck and back that required her to undergo several months of physical therapy, according to the suit. She continues to have pain and sleep interruption every day and receives orthopedic care. She is seeking a jury trial and unspecified damages.

MHY could not be reached for comment.