Plano ISD teacher sexual abuse lawsuit alleges school district ignored previous reports
Lawsuit filed against Plano ISD after teacher arrested
Plano ISD is being sued by a family who alleges the district did nothing to stop Paul Campbell's alleged child sex crimes despite being notified before Campbell's arrest. FOX 4's Peyton Yager has more.
PLANO, Texas - The parents of an 8-year-old girl who accused her former teacher of sexual abuse are suing the Plano Independent School District.
Plano Teacher Arrested
Paul Campbell, 64
What's new:
In a newly filed lawsuit, the little girl’s family is suing the school district, along with her former second grade teacher Paul Campbell, and the principal at Brinker Elementary School where he worked.
The family’s lawsuit claims another parent reported the inappropriate touching by Campbell months before their daughter came forward.
They are alleging gross negligence, saying the allegations went unreported to authorities. The lawsuit alleges Brinker Elementary's principal did not notify the Texas Education Agency or law enforcement.
Brinker Elementary's principal has not yet been investigated or charged in connection to Campbell's arrest.
Plano ISD told FOX 4 on Friday it is unable to comment on pending litigation, and called Campbell's alleged conduct "serious, unacceptable, and wholly inconsistent with the standards and expectations of Plano ISD."
Campbell's bond was set at $2.5 million on Friday. Parents of victims were present and emotional at Campbell's bond hearing on Friday morning.
The bond amount is higher than prosecutors were asking for. The Collin County judge who set Campbell's bond said he is a "serious danger to the community."
He remains in the Collin County Jail. Campebll's attorney tells FOX 4 Campbell is maintaining his innocence.
What they're saying:
Plano ISD previously called Campbell’s alleged misconduct reprehensible. The district has not commented on the lawsuit.
The backstory:
Campbell was first arrested on July 8 and charged with the continuous sexual abuse of a child.
According to an arrest warrant affidavit, the longtime Brinker Elementary School teacher sexually abused one of his second-grade students on the school’s campus over the past school year.
The 8-year-old girl told her parents over the Fourth of July weekend that Campbell touched her between her legs when she visited his desk to ask a question.
Affidavit: Plano ISD teacher touched female students at his desk
More details have been released in the case of a Brinker Elementary School teacher who is accused of sexually abusing a second grader. Plano ISD has also taken steps to fire him.
She said it happened throughout the year. Campbell would run her through her clothing while answering her question. She said that her friend, and possibly other female classmates, had experienced the same thing. She never saw it happen to any male classmates.
Police have since obtained three new warrants for the 64-year-old on charges of indecency with a child.
Investigators said because of the courage of the first victim, two other victims came forward with similar stories. Then, a fourth student who had been in Campbell’s class two years ago told investigators that he touched her inappropriately while she was sitting on his lap.
Investigators also say additional students have come forward, but no additional charges have been filed.
Plano teacher facing 3 additional charges for indecency with a child
The former Plano ISD elementary school teacher who was arrested earlier this month for allegedly sexually abusing students is now facing three additional charges.
What's next:
Campbell's attorney says he will try to reduce Campbell's bond amount at a later date.
The Source: The information in this story comes from a lawsuit filed by the alleged victim's family and past news coverage.