The lawsuit filed by the parents of a young girl, whose hair was cut without her consent at St. Margaret Mary’s school in Harrisburg, has been officially dismissed.
In November 2023, the incident occurred when the girl, whose name remains undisclosed, had her hair accidentally caught in a piece of Velcro while attending her music class.
In the lawsuit, it was alleged that a teacher cut her hair in order to release her from the Velcro.
Darin and Julia Smith, the parents, asserted that their daughter did not give her consent to have her hair cut, as her long hair was an important aspect of her cultural identity.
The lawsuit claimed that the child maintained her long hair as a reflection of her family’s religious beliefs, embracing the natural features and attributes bestowed upon her by God. Moreover, it alleged that she faced racial discrimination.
On October 30th, the judge granted approval to dismiss the case filed against the school.
The parents were given a 20-day window to appeal the decision by submitting an amended complaint.