at 20:30 on December 10, 2008, EDT.
By Stephanie Reitz, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

HARTFORD, Conn. - The bullying came at school dances and in class, on Facebook and back at the dorm by girls who called themselves "Oprichniki," a Russian attack squad notorious for torturing suspected enemies of a 16th-century czar.

The cruel clique at the exclusive Miss Porter's School allegedly harassed Tatum Bass for months, until two doctors advised her to take a break.

That's when her tormentors put a "For Rent" sign on her bed and one of the nation's most selective, all-girls boarding schools threatened to expel her.

Bass and her parents responded with a federal lawsuit that offers a disturbing glimpse into life on the leafy campus in the affluent Hartford suburbs.

To match tuition that can cost nearly $43,000, the school has an A-list of socialites, diplomats, artists and public servants among its graduates, including Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Gloria Vanderbilt.

According to the lawsuit, Bass was on the honour roll, played sports and was elected by her peers to a top position in student government before her trouble began earlier this year.

As activities director, she proposed holding the senior prom with other schools nearby.

Opposition to the idea ballooned, leading to bullying and taunts that Bass was "retarded" because she has attention-deficit disorder.

Bass said in the suit that the girls turned on her, calling her "stupid" and peppering her with profanity and insults.

She said she was bullied in front of hundreds of people at a school dance, in classes, around campus, in text messages and online on the Facebook social networking site.

"This was the first time that negative attention was drawn to her disability at (the school)," the lawsuit said. "Oprichniki members were at the forefront of taunting Tatum in class and advising others about her disability."

The lawsuit names the 165-year-old school and its headmaster, Katherine Windsor, as defendants.

Windsor said in a written statement Wednesday that the lawsuit's claims "as portrayed in the media will be defended vigorously, and we believe that a comprehensive hearing of the facts will result in the exoneration of our school."

Messages left for Tatum's attorneys and family were not returned.

None of Bass's tormentors are named in court papers.


©The Canadian Press, 2008


Disgusting bullies

damn soo sad

That really affected me personally,because both of my nephews have ADD,but it alos was wonderful to hear that even with her challenges she has managed to excel,which gives me hope for my nephews as they have a few learning disabilities.

Wow, I teach kids with special needs, and nothing grates me more than cruelty directed at these kids.

I say take those Oprichniki girls and drop'em off in the hood and see how they fare.

makes me miss the good ol days when you just beat the hell outta somebody for messing with you. Even if you didn't win, they didn't mess with you again because who wants to fight. Now we got kids going to court for bullying?

If only...



Now I'll never be a teen model.