GULFPORT, Florida. – Several attorneys held a press conference regarding a civil lawsuit against Pinellas County schools for allegedly rough treatment of a high school student in 2022.

READ: 15-year-old claims a Gulfport police officer was rude to her at school, triggers internal investigation

Local attorney Shannon Ligon, Florida House Representative Michele Rayner, and attorneys Precious Chavez and Bridgette Domingos spoke Thursday in the Middle District Federal Court in Tampa.

Attorney Bridgette Domingos

The civil lawsuit centers on Sheriff Maniya’s alleged abuse in 2022 at Boca Ciera High School.

READ: Gulfport PD: Investigation clears cop after 15-year-old claims he was rude to her at school

The sheriff’s family claimed in 2022 that a Gulfport police officer roughly treated her, slamming her against a wall and handcuffing her after she was bullied by several girls at school.

The sheriff’s family said she did not resist and expressed confusion as to why the officer treated her that way.

The Gulfport Police Department conducted an investigation into the incident and concluded that “she was not slung, thrown or anything of the sort” and that her injuries “were the result of her own resistance to the officer.”

Their report said it all started when the sheriff and others disrupted class and then the sheriff caused “further trouble” after class by attempting to start a physical altercation with one of the students.

Police said that during the altercation between the sheriff and the school security officer, she “cursed at the officer, refused to comply with his orders, and at one point clenched her fists and lunged at him as if she wanted to attack him.”

This is a developing story. Check back later for more details.