More parents file discrimination lawsuit against Calvary Church

A discrimination lawsuit against a south Charlotte mega church is growing as six more families came forward after Channel 9’s story about the suit aired in January.

They claim Calvary Church dismissed their children because of medical or developmental disorders.

PAST ARTICLE: Lawsuit claims Calvary Church violated disability act

The amended suit was filed Wednesday morning in Mecklenburg County.

 The lawsuit highlights allegations that Calvary Church and child development director Pat Collins discriminated against children with disabilities. 

In January, two families claimed their sons were dismissed because of medical conditions.
 
"It was just the same thing all over again, just a different child, little different situation," said Carmen Shaw, who recently joined the lawsuit. "But, the course of what happened was exactly the same."
 
Shaw said her 5-year-old son, Jax, has developmental delays and was removed from the Summer Fun Day Care, because he was "special and needed extra help" the school didn't have.
 
Liz Brundage claims the school expelled her 4-year-old son, Carter, because they perceived he had attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, known as ADHD.
 
She said her son was devastated.
 
"He would cry and ask me, 'Mommy, if I'm just a good boy, can I just go back to my old school?'" Brundage said.
 
Another family claims their blind daughter, Hayes, was told that the school "would not be able to accept a blind child into the program."
 
The suit also claims another child, Noah, faced discrimination, because part of his left leg was amputated days after birth.
 
The mom claimed she was told, "Calvary would not be a good fit for you and your son. We can't take on a liability."
 
Becuase of the statute of limitations, the families of Noah and Hayes aren't listed as plaintiffs, but their attorney said it shows a pattern by the school and the director.
 
"We think suggests that Pat Collins was actually barring the doors to disabled children that were trying to enroll," attorney Josh Van Kampen said.
 
Channel 9 talked to attorneys for the church in January when the suit was first filed, and they had no comment.

Channel 9 reached back out again Wednesday and are waiting to hear back.
 
No trial date has been set.

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