🚨 Hazing Legal Emergency: Your Child’s Safety at Brown County Schools and Universities

Brown County Parents: The Hazing Crisis Has Reached Our Community

Hazing isn’t just happening at big universities far away. It’s happening right here in Brown County. The same fraternities, the same dangerous traditions, the same life-threatening risks that hospitalized a student in Houston are present at institutions near Brown County. Your child could be next.

At Attorney 911, we’re currently fighting a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston after a student was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and hospitalized with kidney failure from hazing. This isn’t just happening in Texas—it’s happening across America, including at schools near Brown County.

Brown County families deserve to know the truth: Hazing is happening near us, and it’s more dangerous than you think.

🔍 What Brown County Parents Need to Know About Hazing

1. Hazing Happens at Brown County Schools—Right Under Our Noses

While we don’t have documented cases in Brown County yet, we know that the same national fraternities with hazing histories operate at universities near Brown County. These organizations have paid millions in settlements for hazing deaths and injuries, yet they continue to put students at risk.

Fraternities with documented hazing incidents that have chapters near Brown County:

• Pi Kappa Phi (Our current $10M case)
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (Multiple hazing deaths)
• Pi Kappa Alpha (Hazing death at Bowling Green State)
• Phi Delta Theta ($6.1M verdict for hazing death)
• Beta Theta Pi ($110M+ settlement for hazing death)

These same organizations have active chapters at universities near Brown County. If they’re hazing students in Houston, they’re hazing students near Brown County.

2. Hazing Isn’t “Boys Being Boys”—It’s Abuse, and It’s Illegal

Hazing isn’t harmless fun. It’s torture disguised as tradition. In our current case, a student was:

• Waterboarded with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
• Forced to do 500 squats and 100 pushups until he collapsed
• Struck with wooden paddles
• Forced to eat until vomiting, then made to continue exercising
• Hospitalized for 4 days with kidney failure

This is not “building brotherhood.” This is assault. This is battery. This is a crime.

Under Ohio law (Ohio Revised Code § 2903.31), hazing is a criminal offense. It can result in:

• Misdemeanor charges (up to 6 months in jail)
• Felony charges if serious physical harm occurs (up to 5 years in prison)
• Civil lawsuits (with multi-million dollar verdicts)

3. Universities Near Brown County Are Failing to Protect Students

In our Houston case, the University of Houston owned the fraternity house where the hazing occurred. They had full power to inspect, regulate, and shut down the chapter—but they didn’t. They collected rent while students were being tortured.

Universities near Brown County have the same responsibility to protect students. Yet, they continue to allow dangerous Greek organizations to operate with minimal oversight.

Common university failures:

• Ignoring warning signs (prior hazing incidents, complaints)
• Failing to inspect fraternity houses (where most hazing occurs)
• Allowing chapters with hazing histories to continue operating
• Covering up incidents to protect their reputation
• Failing to report hazing to authorities (Ohio law requires reporting)

4. The Psychological Damage Lasts Long After the Physical Injuries Heal

Hazing doesn’t just cause physical harm—it destroys lives psychologically. Victims often suffer from:

• PTSD (from waterboarding, physical abuse, humiliation)
• Anxiety and depression (fear of retribution, social isolation)
• Trust issues (betrayal by peers and institutions)
• Academic decline (missing classes, inability to focus)
• Substance abuse (self-medicating to cope with trauma)

Our client in the Houston case is still recovering from the psychological trauma of being waterboarded and forced to exercise until he couldn’t stand. Many victims never fully recover.

5. Consent Is Not a Defense—Ohio Law Is Clear

Fraternities will argue: “He agreed to participate. He knew the risks. He could have left at any time.”

Ohio law says otherwise.

Under Ohio Revised Code § 2903.31, hazing is illegal regardless of consent. The law explicitly states that a victim’s willingness to participate does not justify hazing.

Why?

• Coercion and peer pressure make “consent” meaningless. Victims fear social exclusion, retaliation, or losing their place in the organization.
• Victims often don’t know what they’re agreeing to. Hazing is hidden until it’s too late.
• Society has decided that no one should be subjected to torture, even if they “agree” to it.

If your child is hazed in Brown County, the fraternity cannot hide behind “consent.”

💔 Real Hazing Cases That Could Happen in Brown County

Case 1: The Student Who Was Waterboarded (Our Current Case)

• Victim: Leonel Bermudez (not a UH student yet—just a “ghost rush”)
• Fraternity: Pi Kappa Phi (University of Houston)
• Hazing: Waterboarded with a garden hose, forced to do 500 squats, struck with wooden paddles
• Result: Hospitalized for 4 days with kidney failure
• Lawsuit: $10 million (pending)

This could happen at any university near Brown County with a Pi Kappa Phi chapter.

Case 2: The Student Who Died from Alcohol Poisoning

• Victim: Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State University)
• Fraternity: Pi Kappa Alpha
• Hazing: Forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol
• Result: Died from alcohol poisoning
• Settlement: $10.1 million

This could happen at any university near Brown County with a Pi Kappa Alpha chapter.

Case 3: The Student Who Fell Down Stairs and Died

• Victim: Timothy Piazza (Penn State University)
• Fraternity: Beta Theta Pi
• Hazing: Forced to drink 18 drinks in 82 minutes, fell down stairs multiple times
• Result: Traumatic brain injury, died after fraternity members waited 12 hours to call 911
• Settlement: $110+ million

This could happen at any university near Brown County with a Beta Theta Pi chapter.

Case 4: The Student Who Was Forced to Drink Until He Died

• Victim: Maxwell Gruver (Louisiana State University)
• Fraternity: Phi Delta Theta
• Hazing: Forced to drink during a “Bible Study” hazing ritual (wrong answer = drink more)
• Result: Died from alcohol poisoning (BAC 0.495—more than 6x the legal limit)
• Verdict: $6.1 million jury award

This could happen at any university near Brown County with a Phi Delta Theta chapter.

🏛️ What Brown County Universities Are Doing Wrong

1. They Own the Houses Where Hazing Happens—But Do Nothing

Many universities, including those near Brown County, own the fraternity houses where hazing occurs. They collect rent, but they fail to inspect, regulate, or intervene when hazing is reported.

In our Houston case, the University of Houston owned the Pi Kappa Phi house. They had full authority to stop the hazing—but they didn’t.

Universities near Brown County are making the same mistake.

2. They Ignore Prior Hazing Incidents

In 2017, a student at the University of Houston was hospitalized with a lacerated spleen from hazing at Pi Kappa Alpha. The university knew hazing was dangerous—but they did nothing to prevent it from happening again.

Eight years later, Leonel Bermudez was hospitalized with kidney failure from hazing at a different fraternity.

Universities near Brown County are ignoring their own hazing histories.

3. They Cover Up Incidents to Protect Their Reputation

Universities care more about their public image than student safety. When hazing happens, they:

• Downplay the severity of incidents
• Fail to report hazing to authorities (violating Ohio law)
• Allow chapters to “self-police” (which never works)
• Suspend chapters quietly to avoid bad press

In our Houston case, Pi Kappa Phi closed the chapter just days before the lawsuit was filed—proving they knew litigation was coming.

Universities near Brown County are doing the same thing.

4. They Don’t Educate Students About the Risks

Most students (and parents) don’t realize how dangerous hazing is. Universities near Brown County fail to educate students about:

• The legal consequences of hazing (criminal charges, lawsuits)
• The medical risks (rhabdomyolysis, alcohol poisoning, death)
• The psychological damage (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
• The fact that consent doesn’t matter (Ohio law is clear)

If universities near Brown County won’t protect students, we will.

⚖️ What Brown County Families Can Do If Their Child Is Hazed

1. Seek Medical Attention Immediately

Hazing injuries can be life-threatening. Even if your child says they’re “fine,” take them to the hospital. Some injuries (like rhabdomyolysis) don’t show symptoms right away.

Our client in Houston was “really sore” the day after hazing—then his condition worsened rapidly. By the time he got to the hospital, he had kidney failure.

Don’t wait. Get medical help now.

2. Preserve All Evidence

Evidence disappears fast in hazing cases. If your child is hazed, preserve everything:
✅ Photos/videos of injuries, hazing activities, fraternity house
✅ Text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, emails about hazing
✅ Medical records (hospital bills, doctor’s notes, therapy records)
✅ Witness statements (names and contact info of other pledges, bystanders)
✅ Fraternity documents (pledge manuals, schedules, rules)
✅ Social media posts (screenshots of any hazing-related content)

Do NOT:
❌ Delete any messages or posts
❌ Talk to fraternity/sorority leadership without a lawyer
❌ Sign anything from the organization
❌ Give statements to university administrators alone

3. Report the Hazing to Authorities

Ohio law requires universities to report hazing to authorities. If they don’t, they’re breaking the law.

Report hazing to:

• Local police (file a criminal report)
• Ohio Attorney General’s Office (hazing is a state crime)
• University Title IX office (hazing is a form of gender-based violence)
• Ohio Department of Higher Education (universities must report hazing)

If the university fails to report it, they can be held liable.

4. Contact a Hazing Attorney Immediately

Hazing cases are complex and time-sensitive. Universities and fraternities have teams of lawyers working to minimize their liability. You need your own legal team to fight back.

At Attorney 911, we:
✔ Fight for maximum compensation (medical bills, pain and suffering, punitive damages)
✔ Hold universities accountable for failing to protect students
✔ Pursue fraternities and individuals who participated in hazing
✔ Work on contingency ($0 upfront—we don’t get paid unless you win)
✔ Travel to Brown County for depositions, trials, and client meetings

Call us 24/7 for a free consultation:
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com

🛡️ How Brown County Parents Can Protect Their Children

1. Talk to Your Child About Hazing Before It Happens

Many students don’t realize what hazing looks like. Educate your child on:

• The definition of hazing (any activity that humiliates, degrades, or risks emotional/physical harm)
• That consent doesn’t matter (Ohio law says so)
• How to recognize hazing (forced drinking, physical abuse, sleep deprivation, humiliation)
• How to report it safely (anonymously if needed)

Use our current case as an example:

“A student in Houston was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and ended up in the hospital with kidney failure. This is what hazing really looks like—not just ‘harmless fun.'”

2. Research the Greek Organizations Near Brown County

Before your child joins a fraternity or sorority, research its hazing history. Some questions to ask:

• Has this chapter been suspended for hazing before?
• Has the national organization been sued for hazing?
• Are there any documented hazing incidents at this university?
• Does the university own the fraternity house? (If so, they have more responsibility to monitor it.)

You can find this information through:

• Google searches (e.g., “[Fraternity Name] hazing lawsuit”)
• University disciplinary records (public records request)
• Local news archives (hazing incidents often make the news)
• National hazing databases (like HazingPrevention.org)

3. Demand Accountability from Brown County Universities

If your child attends a university near Brown County, demand answers:

• What is your hazing prevention policy?
• How often do you inspect fraternity/sorority houses?
• What training do you provide to Greek organizations?
• How do you respond to hazing reports?
• Have you ever suspended a chapter for hazing?

If the university can’t answer these questions satisfactorily, they’re not doing enough to protect students.

4. Know the Warning Signs of Hazing

Hazing often starts with subtle signs. Watch for:

• Sudden changes in behavior (withdrawal, anxiety, depression)
• Unexplained injuries (bruises, cuts, exhaustion)
• Secretive behavior (avoiding questions about Greek life)
• Sleep deprivation (falling asleep in class, dark circles under eyes)
• Weight loss or poor hygiene (from stress or forced activities)
• Sudden decline in grades (from missing classes or exhaustion)

If you notice these signs, ask your child directly: “Are you being hazed?”

5. Have an Exit Plan

If your child is being hazed, they need a way out. Make sure they know:

• They can leave at any time. (No one has the right to force them to stay.)
• They won’t get in trouble for reporting hazing. (Ohio law protects whistleblowers.)
• You will support them no matter what. (Many victims stay silent out of fear of disappointing their parents.)

Tell your child:

“If something feels wrong, it probably is. Call me immediately—I’ll come get you.”

📢 A Message to Brown County Fraternities: We Are Watching

To the fraternities operating near Brown County:

We know who you are.
We know your national organizations have paid millions in hazing settlements.
We know your chapters have been suspended for hazing before.
We know you think you can get away with it.

But we are watching.

The same legal strategies that secured $10 million verdicts in other hazing cases apply to your chapter too.

If you haze students in Brown County, we will sue you.
We will sue your national organization.
We will sue your university.
We will sue your officers individually.
We will pursue every liable entity.

We already shut down the Pi Kappa Phi chapter at UH. Your chapter could be next.

🏆 Why Brown County Families Choose Attorney 911

1. We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now

We’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. We know how to win these cases.

2. We Know How to Sue Universities and Fraternities

Universities and fraternities have teams of lawyers working to minimize their liability. We know their playbook—and we know how to beat it.

3. We Work on Contingency—$0 Upfront

Brown County families pay nothing unless we win. No hourly fees, no retainers, no financial risk.

4. We Travel to Brown County

We represent hazing victims nationwide, including in Brown County. We’ll come to you for depositions, trials, and client meetings.

5. We Speak Spanish

Many hazing victims in Brown County come from Spanish-speaking families. Se habla español—we can communicate in your language.

6. We Treat You Like Family

Hazing cases are traumatic. We don’t just see you as a “case”—we see you as a person who deserves justice.

🚨 Brown County Parents: Act Now

Hazing is illegal, dangerous, and preventable. But it won’t stop unless we hold the people responsible accountable.

If your child has been hazed in Brown County, call us immediately:
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com

We offer:
✔ Free, confidential consultations
✔ $0 upfront—we only get paid if you win
✔ Aggressive representation against universities and fraternities
✔ 24/7 availability for legal emergencies

Don’t wait. Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. Statutes of limitations expire.

Brown County families deserve justice. We’re here to fight for you.