Irving, Texas—
An Irving man believes his daughter is due more than $7 million in damages because school officials searched text messages on her phone.Monday night Irving ISD voted to unanimously to deny the Beaird family's claim, but the family is vowing to take the case to federal court.
Like millions of American teens, MacArthur High School student Madelyn Beaird loves her phone.
"I text all the time. I like texting more than talking on the phone," Madelyn said as she walked into the school board meeting.
MacArthur high school officials claim, in April, they got wind of a potentially threatening situation at the school involving a gun and keyed cars. They believed Madelyn was somehow involved and had evidence on her phone.
Her father John Beaird says the Irving Independent School District violated his daughter's constitutional rights by illegally searching text messages on her phone.
"I knew they could not do it but I was kind of scared to ask for it back because you know I was like 'there were three principals and a police officer,'" Madelyn said.
The Beaird family wants everyone involved in the search to be disciplined and fired, including the school administrator and resource officer. They are also demanding $7.5 M in damages.
Where did that figure come from?
"I remember back when hot coffee was spilled in the McDonald's law suit. They were awarded $4.5 M. I said you know, I guess a constitutional right is worth at least $4 M today," said Madelyn's father. He went on to explain "It is worth at least a cup of coffee."
Irving ISD would not comment on camera, but emailed the 33 News a statement, which read in part "there was a reasonable cause for the district to search the phone. In addition, the students consented to the search and even assisted in the search. MacArthur High School administrators were working in the best interest of all the students on the campus, including those involved in the search."
Though it denied the Beairds' claim, Irving ISD agreed to reimburse the teen for the cost of her phone. It has not been returned.
