HOOVER, Alabama - A Hoover High School student is suing the city of Hoover, the Hoover police department and several school employees in federal court, claiming she was arrested by a school security officer who shoved and handcuffed her after she fell asleep at her desk.

Tieshka Avery, on behalf of her daughter Ashlynn Avery, filed the lawsuit May 2 in U.S. District Court against the City of Hoover, the Hoover Police Department, Officer Christopher Bryant, in-school suspension supervisor Joshua Whited and Hoover High School Principal Don Hulin.

According to the lawsuit, Ashlynn was reading during in-school suspension when she dozed off "as a result of a combination of (her) chronic medical conditions" - diabetes, sleep apnea and asthma.

When Whited noticed Ashlynn was asleep, he walked to her cubicle and hit it, causing it to hit her head and awaken her. She dozed off again, and Whited slammed Ashlynn's book onto the desk, causing it to bounce and hit her in the chest, the lawsuit states.

After Whited ordered her to leave the room, Ashlynn was "hysterical" while talking to her mother on the phone. As she walked down the hall, the lawsuit states, Bryan slapped her backpack. She said "Leave me alone," and he shoved her into a file cabinet and handcuffed her.

During the ride to the police station, Ashlynn vomited in the car. According to the lawsuit, she was treated at a hospital, and her right arm was in a cast for a month as a result of her injuries.

Donald Sweeney, the attorney for Hoover City Schools, is representing the Board of Education, Hulin and Whited.

"Hoover High School is one of the premier high schools in America because of its professional staff," Sweeney said. "School officials at Hoover High School would never engage in conduct as alleged in the complaint and did not do so. The allegations are without factual basis. The Hoover school officials and police officer named in the complaint will adamantly deny the allegations of misconduct."

Charlie Waldrep, Hoover's city attorney, also said the suit is without merit.

"If and when the city is served with the suit, it will defer to its insurance carrier, which will put on a vigorous defense," he said.

The Averys are suing for civil rights violation for the use of excessive force, battery, negligent hiring and training.

They seek compensatory and punitive damages, along with attorneys' fees and expenses. They are represented by Virginia Applebaum.