Philly schools settle suit over pat-down grope

The School District of Philadelphia has settled a lawsuit involving a 13-year-old girl who says she was groped by a male school police officer during a weapons pat-down.

A district spokesman on Thursday confirmed the suit was settled but declined to discuss the terms.

The suit alleged the officer used a metal detector wand to scan her at the start of a school day last fall. The girl says the officer put his hand down her shirt and felt her chest even though the metal detector gave no indication of a weapon.

The plaintiff’s attorney tells The Philadelphia Inquirer the district did not admit any wrongdoing or agree to change any security policies as part of the settlement.