BOCA RATON, FL (Boca Post) (Copyright © 2026) — A Boca Raton family has filed a civil lawsuit against the School District of Palm Beach County, alleging a middle school student was improperly handled by a teacher during a hallway encounter at Eagles Landing Middle School.
The case, N.F.F., a minor, by and through his natural guardians Joao Daniel Fonseca and Christine Felini Fonseca v. The School District of Palm Beach County, was filed Feb. 5, 2026, in the Circuit Court of the 15th Judicial Circuit in and for Palm Beach County, Florida, under Case No.
The plaintiff is identified in the complaint as N.F.F., a minor, acting through his parents and natural guardians, Joao Daniel Fonseca and Christine Felini Fonseca. The lawsuit names the School District of Palm Beach County as the defendant and states the alleged incident occurred at Eagles Landing Middle School, 19500 Coral Ridge Dr., Boca Raton. The complaint lists McSweeney Law Firm of Boca Raton as counsel for the plaintiff. No defense law firm is listed in the filing.
According to the complaint, the incident underlying the lawsuit occurred on Feb. 6, 2024, while the minor was on campus as a student. The pleading alleges the student required one-on-one services and references multiple diagnoses, stating his parents had previously communicated concerns to the school about the application of his recommended Individual Education Plan.
The complaint claims that on the day of the incident, the minor was walking near room 144 with other students, along with a teacher identified as Robyn L. Pantano and a behavioral technician identified as Kayla M. Flores, when the group stopped and students were instructed to use the restrooms before returning to the classroom. The complaint alleges that Arlo Rappaport, identified as a teacher and employee of the school board, appeared in the hallway outside room 144 and grabbed the hood portion of the student’s sweatshirt.
The complaint further alleges the minor attempted to break away and demanded to be released, but Rappaport held onto the hood and did not let go until another teacher told him the student was with her class. The complaint claims the student suffered injuries and continuing emotional and psychological harm as a result.
The lawsuit brings a single count styled as negligence against the school board, alleging it had duties to properly supervise students and to follow professional rules and procedures referenced in the complaint, including School Board Policy 3.01 and Florida Administrative Code provisions cited in the filing. The complaint alleges the school board breached its duties through actions attributed to Rappaport, including alleged misconduct affecting health and safety, unreasonable restraint, and other alleged acts described in the pleading.
In its damages section, the complaint seeks monetary relief in excess of $50,000 and demands a jury trial. The filing also includes a date reference that differs from the incident date stated earlier in the complaint; the pleading alleges the incident occurred Feb. 6, 2024, but later references “on or about October 8, 2021” in describing when injuries were sustained. The complaint does not explain the discrepancy.
The original complaint, N.F.F., a minor, by and through his natural guardians Joao Daniel Fonseca and Christine Felini Fonseca v. The School District of Palm Beach County, Case No. 502026CA001406XXXAMB, as filed February 5, 2026, with the Palm Beach County Clerk of Court, can be viewed here.
Readers can find additional negligence cases involving companies and property owners in Boca Post’s Lawsuits archive.
