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Andreozzi + Foote, a national law firm focused on representing victims of sexual abuse, announced the filing of a lawsuit on behalf of Jane Doe against Pennsylvania Leadership Charter School (PALCS) and the Center for Performing and Fine Arts (CPFA), shedding light on allegations of gross negligence and deliberate indifference that allowed the abuse to persist.
The Parties Involved
The defendants are PALCS, a K-12 public cyber charter school, and CPFA, a supplementary arts program catering to PALCS students in grades 6-12. Chester County and Pennsylvania entities are accused of receiving federal funds under Title IX.
Jurisdiction and Venue
The legal action is brought under the jurisdiction of the United States District Court, with counts related to Title IX and supplemental jurisdiction based on Pennsylvania state law. The filing asserts that the venue is proper in this district due to the residency of the parties involved and the occurrence of events leading to the claims within the district.
The Disturbing Facts
The crux of the complaint revolves around the childhood sexual abuse suffered by Jane Doe at the hands of Seth J. Reich, a former teacher at CPFA. The abuse allegedly occurred over two years, starting in 2019 when Jane Doe was 17 years old. Shockingly, the complaint contends that the abuse happened approximately 100 times.
Negligence and Deliberate Indifference
The filing outlines how individuals within PALCS and CPFA, including administrators with the power to take corrective action, were allegedly aware of Reich’s inappropriate behavior towards minor female students. Reports about Reich’s conduct were supposedly known to the leadership of the defendants before the cessation of Jane Doe’s abuse. Despite this awareness, the complaint asserts that no meaningful action was taken to protect Jane Doe, leading to severe and lasting consequences.
Legal Counts
The complaint presents six legal counts against PALCS and CPFA, including violation of Title IX for sexual harassment, negligence, gross negligence, and reckless hiring/retention/supervision of employees, and general negligence, gross negligence, and recklessness. Each count meticulously details the alleged failures of the defendants in protecting Jane Doe from harm.
Seeking Justice and Damages
The plaintiff seeks damages exceeding $75,000, encompassing attorneys’ fees, costs, pre and post-judgment interest, compensatory damages, and punitive damages. The legal action is not only an attempt to obtain redress for the harm suffered by Jane Doe but also a call for accountability, urging institutions to take decisive measures to protect students from abuse.
This case highlights the critical importance of addressing issues related to child safety, fostering a safe educational environment, and holding institutions accountable for the well-being of their students. The outcome of this case may set precedents for future legal actions aimed at preventing and addressing childhood sexual abuse in educational settings.
