Pasadena family accuses school officer of 'brutal and excessive' beating

Guadalupe Suquet, left, and her son, Cesar Suquet, talk with attorney Mark Montgomery , right, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2015, in Houston about the photos showing Cesar's injuries from being beaten by a Pasadena ISD Police Officer. The officer used a nightstick to strike Cesar 18 times on the neck, back and arm. less Guadalupe Suquet, left, and her son, Cesar Suquet, talk with attorney Mark Montgomery , right, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2015, in Houston about the photos showing Cesar's injuries from being beaten by a Pasadena ISD ... more Photo: Melissa Phillip, Houston Chronicle Photo: Melissa Phillip, Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close Pasadena family accuses school officer of 'brutal and excessive' beating 1 / 3Back to Gallery

A Pasadena family has filed a $1 million civil rights lawsuit against the Pasadena Independent School District and one of its officers for using a nightstick on a 16-year-old student.

The suit, filed in U.S. District Court on Wednesday, contends Cesar Suquet was "a victim of a brutal and excessive police beating." The Suquets allege school police didn't properly supervise or train the officer, Michael Y'Barbo, and are seeking reimbursement for the ongoing medical and psychological treatment their son is receiving.

Suquet was a 16-year-old sophomore last May when the incident happened.

He had gone to the principal's office at South Houston High School to ask for his cell phone back. It had been confiscated from him earlier in the day.

He was denied and told to leave. As he