Texas Mother Sues Perryton ISD Over Alleged Sexual Assault of High School Basketball Player
Texas Mother Sues Perryton ISD in Sexual Assault Case
Exterior view of Perryton High School, where a mother is suing the district and four others in connection with alleged sexual assault of her son by a basketball player in the locker room.
A mother of a former Perryton High School basketball player has filed a lawsuit against the Perryton Independent School District (PISD), along with four others, in Amarillo Federal Court over multiple instances of alleged sexual assault that happened to her son. The mother alleges that a Perryton High School basketball player sexually assaulted her son in three different instances in the locker room after practice on Feb. 21, 2021, and two other basketball players filmed the acts, eventually posting them to social media. The school's basketball coach was present and allegedly did nothing to stop the abuse.
The mother's complaint seeks five claims of relief, including Common Law Assault against the player who allegedly committed the sexual assault, Production of Child Pornography charges against the players and coach, Distribution of Child Pornography charges against the players who filmed the act, Violation of Title IX against PISD for failing to provide equal opportunity in education to her son, and Title IX retaliation against PISD.
In the claims related to PISD, the complaint reads that the coach and the district's athletic director had the authority to prevent incidents like this alleged incident from occurring. The district's athletic department has a history of "sexual hazing, abuse, and harassment," according to the complaint. The plaintiffs also say that the athletic director was responsible for holding the culpable students and coach accountable but failed to do so.
The mother is seeking more than $2 million in damages for emotional distress, pain and suffering, along with additional liquidated damages for the production and distribution of the alleged videos of the incident. She is also seeking out-of-pocket costs against the defendants, including the district, along with reasonable attorneys' fees and costs.
The case raises serious legal issues, including allegations of sexual assault, production and distribution of child pornography, and violations of Title IX. As the case progresses, additional details will likely emerge, shedding light on the specific legal theories and arguments involved in the lawsuit.