Swastika Carved into Back of Jewish Teenager Sparks FBI Probe

The FBI is investigating after a Jewish teenager with autism came home from school in Nevada with a swastika carved into his back.

The 17-year-old, who is nonverbal and wears a kippah, attends classes at Clark High School in Las Vegas accompanied by a service dog and full-time assistant, The Jewish Press reported.

He returned home on March 9 with a swastika carved into his back, his mother told the outlet. She requested anonymity, citing safety considerations.

The woman said the service dog's equipment bag was also damaged and had been resewn.

She said that when she notified Clark High School, the school responded that "nothing had happened" there.

She also asked her son's assistant if they had been apart at all during the course of the day.

"Did he use the bathroom? Did he have any meltdowns yesterday? I would think this would have caused him to have a meltdown or get agitated," she said she asked the assistant.

The assistant said the boy had had "a good day" without any meltdowns, adding that they were not separated at all and that the boy did not use the bathroom.

The mother said that as far as she knows, the assistant is still working for the Clark County School District.

"Her job is to be with my son. If she did not do [the carving], I believe she knows who did," the mother told The Jewish Press.

She also said she had pulled her son out of Clark High School because "it's an unsafe environment."

The family filed a report with the Clark County School District Police in March. However, no video of any incident exists as there are no CCTV cameras in classrooms, locker rooms or bathrooms at the school.

In a statement to Newsweek, the Clark County School District said police took a report of the boy's injuries in mid-March.

"Police conducted a thorough investigation, including interviews with staff and a review of available camera footage," the statement said. "The investigation found no evidence that would indicate the origin of the injuries. Additionally, other law enforcement agencies reviewed the information and found no evidence that would indicate the origin of the injuries."

The statement added: "CCSD is inclusive of all races, ethnicities, cultures, religions/beliefs, sexual orientations, gender identities, socioeconomic statuses, abilities, and living arrangements. We will not tolerate discriminatory behaviors that contradict an inclusive community and impact student safety and well-being. If anyone has any additional information related to this case, we urge them to contact school police immediately."

A spokesperson for the Israeli-American Council (IAC) told Newsweek that the organization brought to the case to the FBI's attention.

"The Israeli-American Council was appalled to learn that a Jewish teen may have been targeted in such an inhumane antisemitic attack," said Shoham Nicolet, IAC's co-founder and CEO. "We urge authorities to investigate this incident to the fullest and anyone in the community who has further information to please report it to the FBI and IAC's School Watch at www.schoolwatch.me."

A spokesperson for the FBI told Newsweek: "We are aware of the incident and are in regular contact with local authorities. If during the local investigation, information comes to light of a potential federal civil rights violation, the FBI is prepared to investigate."

The incident was also condemned by the Anti-Defamation League of Nevada.

"ADL condemns this violent, antisemitic act," Jolie Brislin, the regional director of ADL of Nevada said in a statement.

"Not only was this student targeted for his identifiable faith, but he was particularly vulnerable due to his disability," Brisin said. "This incident illustrates points of intersectionality in how hate can show itself across marginalized communities.

"ADL Nevada, in partnership with Jewish Nevada and SCN, has been in close contact with the parents, CCDS and law enforcement and will be working with Clark High School to provide antisemitism education. School should be no place for hate and no student should be made to feel unsafe and threatened."

Update 4/23/23, 10:40 a.m.: This article has been updated to include comments from the Clark County School District, the Israeli-American Council and the FBI. It has also been updated to add a photo.