Dept. of Education faces suit in alleged school rape

Attorneys for two girls who were allegedly raped by two boys at J.H.S. 145 say they are filing a civil complaint case against the city and the Department of Education over the school's suspension hearing procedure.
The attorneys say the two girls, ages 12 and 13, should not be forced to sit face-to-face with the suspects Monday at a suspension hearing. The DOE says the boys cannot be suspended without the girls being present at that meeting.
According to police, the 13- and 14-year-old boys brought the victims to their school auditorium and raped them. They say the victims knew their attackers.
Authorities say it happened during school hours at J.H.S. 145 on Teller Avenue on Oct. 16.
The 14-year-old boy was charged with third-degree rape and criminal sex act, while the 13-year-old boy was charged with first-degree rape and criminal sex act. They are not being charged as adults.