(Photo courtesy of Roosevelt High School)

The principal of Roosevelt High School has been placed on administrative leave after she was recorded ridiculing a student who came to report that she was sexually assaulted in a campus bathroom.

The Washington Post first reported on the principal’s comments Thursday morning, based on a lawsuit filed on behalf of the girl and her family alleging the school did not appropriately handle her sexual assault complaint.

According to the Post’s account of the complaint, the girl (who is suing pseudonymously) came to the principal with her mother to report that she was sexually assaulted in a campus bathroom in June of 2017. The girl’s mother was recording the conversation on her cellphone. When her daughter abruptly left the room, her mother followed, leaving the recording cell phone behind, the Post reports.

As soon as the two left, Principal Aqueelha James reportedly told other school officials present at the meeting that she was “sick and tired of [the girl] and her mom,” and that she would try to “embarass her ass.” She also criticized the girl’s clothing, saying “you should see the dress she’s got on.”

DCPS has known about the principal’s recorded comments since July of 2017. The agency conducted an internal investigation into James’ handling of the event back then, but has refused to make the results of that investigation public.

DCPS declined to speak to DCist on the record.

More than a year later, after the Post wrote its story about the lawsuit, DCPS placed James on leave.

The interim DCPS Chancellor, Amanda Alexander, sent a letter to Roosevelt families on Thursday confirming that James was not on campus, and that DCPS will be conducting another review of her response to the student’s sexual assault complaint.

“DCPS will be looking further into this matter to ensure a comprehensive review of our response and systems,” the letter reads. ” Please be assured that DCPS takes the safety, security, and privacy of all of our students seriously. While this review is in progress, it is important for everyone that Roosevelt High School continue to be a loving and challenging place of learning where students feel safe.”

LaToya Foster, Mayor Muriel Bowser’s press secretary, sent out a statement on the allegations.

“The safety of our students is paramount, and we expect all who work with our students to be compassionate and supportive. After reviewing the tape, the matter will be reviewed further by DCPS,” it reads.