DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Six families, all with young children at Amy Parks-Heath Elementary School, have filed a lawsuit against the Rockwall Independent School District (RISD), alleging the school implemented an unauthorized program that allowed a sixth-grade boy ample access to sexually assault at least six kindergarten girls in their classroom.
The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District by Jeffrey B. Simon of Simon Greenstone Panatier, PC and Zeke Fortenberry of Fortenberry Firm PLLC. Also named in the suit are former Amy Parks-Heath Elementary School principal Lindy Lewis, former RISD teacher Ashley Rankin, and the parents of the sixth-grade boy.
According to the lawsuit, the plaintiffs were never informed that a program was put in place which involved older students working with the kindergarteners. After learning that their children had allegedly been violated and sexually assaulted, the parents received a letter from school officials stating that the matter was being taken very seriously and that the school would continue to work with authorities to investigate and further address the matter.
Despite the school district’s assurances that this matter was being addressed appropriately, the RISD Human Resources Director allegedly insisted that the sixth grader board the same bus with some of the kindergarten girls that he admitted to sexually assaulting hours earlier. Further, the complaint alleges the sixth grader was also allowed back on campus for a picnic, where the kindergarten girls could be in attendance. To this day, the plaintiffs are unclear of the total number of children the sixth grader may have abused, according to the complaint.
The sixth grader was prosecuted by the Rockwall County Criminal District Attorney’s Office in the juvenile court system.
The lawsuit is John and Jane Does (1-6), as Next Friends of Janie Does (1-6) v. Rockwall Independent School District, Ashley Rankin, Lindy Lewis, and Mom and Dad Doe as Next Friend of Johnny Doe, Cause No. 3:23-cv-01243-E in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas.
About Simon Greenstone Panatier, PC
With offices in Dallas, Houston, Long Beach, and New York City, Simon Greenstone Panatier, PC is a nationally recognized trial firm with a reputation for exemplary and zealous representation of clients in a wide variety of litigation areas, including toxic torts, product liability, and catastrophic personal injury matters nationwide.
About Fortenberry Firm PLLC
Fortenberry Firm PLLC is a boutique trial firm specializing in representing victims of sexual abuse. Zeke Fortenberry previously served as a long-time prosecutor, focusing on crimes against children.