The parents of a six-year-old boy in North Carolina have launched legal action against his school district, alleging a catastrophic failure in safeguarding after their son was repeatedly sexually assaulted by a classmate.
Allegations of Inaction and Ongoing Abuse
According to a lawsuit filed on 3 November in Wake County Superior Court, the young pupil was assaulted multiple times by another student at Wake Forest Magnet Elementary School during the 2023-2024 academic year. The complaint details that the abuse, which included inappropriate touching in the school bathroom, was reported to a teacher.
The lawsuit claims the teacher told the other child to stop but took no further action to prevent the assaults from continuing. This alleged inaction, the filing states, directly led to the victim suffering further abuse.
School Leadership Accused of Denial
The situation escalated on 19 April 2024, when the boy informed his mother of the ongoing assaults. She immediately reported the incidents to the school principal.
The legal complaint alleges that the principal denied the allegations, refused to remove the accused student from the class, and also refused to move the victim to a different classroom. This left the young boy in continued proximity to his alleged assailant.
Wider Pattern of Alleged Abuse and Legal Action
The lawsuit makes a further serious claim, stating that "upon information and belief, the same student who sexually assaulted Plaintiff on numerous occasions also sexually assaulted other minor students" at the school. This suggests a potential wider pattern of abuse that the institution failed to address.
The family contends that the Wake County school system is responsible for failing to protect their son and his classmates. They are seeking damages in excess of $25,000 for the severe emotional and mental injuries he has sustained, including anxiety, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life.
The students involved were likely in kindergarten or first grade at the time of the alleged incidents. The Independent has contacted the school district for comment.
