Teen, Indian school settle hazing suit

A former Flandreau (S.D.) Indian School student beaten in a 2001 birthday hazing has settled a suit against the U.S. government for $56,757, a report said.

Toni Backlund said in the federal suit filed in Sioux Falls, S.D., that other students attacked her on her 14th birthday with a "traditional" beating and hazing that school officials knew about but failed to stop.

The suit said the teen was whipped with a belt and beaten at least three times, covered with shampoo and baby powder, and thrown into hot and cold showers.

The teen's attorney, federal prosecutors and school officials declined comment on the details of the settlement, the Sioux Falls (S.D.) Argus reported.

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