What Happened at Palm Beach Central High School?

Palm Beach Central High School saw several employees arrested this week for failing to report child sexual abuse.

The employees arrested are:

• Principal Darren Edgecomb, 58
• Assistant Principal Dan Snider, 49
• Assistant Principal Nereyda Garcia, 37
• Chorus Teacher Scott Houchins, 53
• School Behavioral Therapist Priscilla Carter

Each is charged with one count of failure to report sexual abuse. The arrested came after a student reported the sexual abuse of a school employee to five other school employees, and they did nothing about the allegations.

What we know to be true of child sexual offenders is where there is one victim, there usually are more.

You are not alone.

Andreozzi + Foote lawyers offer experience and a trauma-informed approach when seeking justice for our clients.

How Can A Civil Lawsuit Help Victims Seek Justice For The Trauma They May Have Experienced At the Palm Beach Central High School?

There are many misunderstandings about why a survivor of sexual abuse would choose to file a civil lawsuit.   Child sexual abuse takes away so much from the survivors and families impacted. Our society still struggles to find ways to repair the harm done by individual perpetrators and institutions that have covered up child sexual abuse.  Outdated statutes of limitations across our country leave far too many survivors denied access to our criminal or civil justice courts.

Filing a civil case can be an essential step for survivors and their families in their journey to slowly rebuild their lives and create pathways to healing.  Motivation for filing a civil suit is often questioned and unfairly stereotyped as being “all about money. Filing a civil lawsuit can cast survivors as “money hungry” and is weaponized to shame and blame them even more. This couldn’t be further from the truth for survivors of child sexual abuse. The civil justice system offers victims more than just monetary benefits.  It gives survivors access to justice, validation, exposure, confrontation, and ultimately some resolution. The resolution allows survivors of sexual abuse to understand and process what happened and create a new path forward without confusion, questions, and fear.

Can I File A Lawsuit Against the Palm Beach Central High School?

Yes. If you were a victim at that school by a school employee, you have rights.

The skilled lawyers of Andreozzi + Foote have experience working with Florida law.  Don’t hesitate to contact us today to discuss your possible legal rights.

We know it can be hard to talk about these experiences. Our compassionate sexual abuse lawyers are here to listen and provide knowledgeable legal guidance. We provide free, confidential case evaluations where you can learn more about your rights and options under your state’s laws, contact Andreozzi + Foote today.