A harrowing legal battle unfolds as a Cleveland student alleges egregious civil rights violations against prominent institutions. On February 24, 2026, Karungi Nadege Kabaseke filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio against University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University, and Windsor-Laurelwood Center for Behavioral Medicine. The lawsuit paints a disturbing picture of alleged misconduct by these institutions.
The case centers around events on November 10, 2023, when Kabaseke claims she was unlawfully seized and subjected to forced sedation with potentially harmful medications before undergoing a pregnancy test. According to the complaint, this was followed by physical assault and involuntary psychiatric detention lasting five days. During this period, Kabaseke asserts that $5,000 in cash and her Apple Watch were stolen. She further accuses the defendants of engaging in retaliation and evidence destruction after her discharge, including altering medical records and improperly sharing protected education records in violation of federal law.
Kabaseke’s allegations extend beyond the initial incident to include ongoing harassment and procedural violations by Case Western Reserve University (CWRU). She describes an environment where her privacy was routinely violated through unauthorized information sharing between CWRU, University Hospitals (UH), and Windsor-Laurelwood. The complaint details how CWRU police coerced her into accompanying them under threat of involuntary commitment and how UH staff used excessive force during her detention. Kabaseke also highlights how Windsor-Laurelwood failed to notify her emergency contact about her whereabouts during detention.
The plaintiff seeks compensatory damages for theft, physical injuries, emotional distress, reputational harm, interference with academic standing, and other damages related to family relationships. Additionally, she demands punitive damages against each defendant for their alleged willful conduct. In terms of injunctive relief, Kabaseke requests the court order CWRU to vacate disciplinary findings against her and expunge improperly obtained records from her student file. She also seeks declaratory relief affirming that her constitutional rights were violated.
Representing herself pro se in this legal battle is Karungi Nadege Kabaseke. The case is presided over by Judge Armstrong with Magistrate Judge Armstrong assisting. The case ID is 1:26-cv-00459-DAR.
Source: 126cv00459_Kabaseke_v_University_Hospitals_Cleveland_Medical_Center_Compaint_Northern_District_Ohio.pdf
