This browser does not support the Video element.
Victims sue Celina ISD, claim hidden sexual misconduct
A new lawsuit alleges Celina ISD repeatedly covered up predatory behavior by coach Caleb Elliott, including moving him schools after an "improper" relationship and issuing mild punishment for putting cameras in a locker room, before his recent arrest for secretly recording students.
CELINA, Texas - Attorneys, representing several Celina ISD victims, say the school district had evidence that a coach was a sexual predator, but he was allowed to keep his job.
Lawsuit alleges cover-up
What they're saying:
A newly filed lawsuit claims Celina ISD deliberately covered up allegations that middle school teacher and coach, Caleb Elliott, was a sexual predator even before he was arrested this month for allegedly secretly recording naked boys in a locker room.
Caleb Elliott
"People entrust their kids to schools and then unspeakable things happen to them," said attorney, Jill Herz.
"Some people at Celina ISD and Moore Middle School knew concerning facts about Caleb that should’ve stopped him from being anywhere near that school quite honestly," said attorney, Paul Herz.
Celina ISD says Caleb Elliott started off as a substitute teacher at the high school in 2022.
"He appears to have started a relationship with someone who was a high school senior at the time," said Paul Herz.
Celina ISD under scrutiny after coach faces charges for student photos
A former Celina ISD middle school coach faces felony charges after police found explicit images of students on his phone, following reports from student athletes about suspicious recording in the locker room.
Moved after 'improper' relationship
What we know:
The lawsuit alleges "Elliott began an improper (and unlawful) relationship with a then-senior of the high school." But "instead of firing Elliott upon discovery of the improper and unlawful relationship, Celina ISD moves Elliott across the parkway to Moore Middle School in the Summer of 2023."
The lawsuit also alleges that last school year "Elliott was caught placing cameras in the boys’ locker room, Celina ISD simply mailed apology letters to select parents of victims."
Attorneys say Elliott was mildly punished.
"From very reliable sources, he was not allowed to be in the locker room."
But the lawsuit claims that just last month, "the boys witnessed Elliott stand in and around the showers and stare wordlessly at the nude boys."
Investigation leads to second arrest of Celina ISD teacher on child pornography charge
Celina ISD teacher and coach William Caleb Elliott has been arrested on a new, second-degree felony charge of possession or promotion of child pornography following an ongoing police investigation.
New allegations preceded the October arrest
Dig deeper:
Then, as FOX 4 reported last week, two middle school boys raised suspicion to police that Elliott was secretly recording them in the locker room on October 2.
Celina police detectives found 12 images of groups of naked or half-naked students on Elliott’s phone, according to an arrest warrant.
The lawsuit notes that Elliott’s father, Bill Elliott, is the district’s athletic director and head high school football coach.
At a special school board meeting last week, Elliott addressed upset parents, saying the blame lies with one person, his son.
Bill Elliott
The lawyers say they’ll prove that’s not the case.
"Each person in the chain of command who learned about this had an opportunity to stop it, and they didn’t," said Paul Herz.
District responds to allegations
What's next:
FOX 4 has been unable to reach Caleb Elliott for comment.
Celina ISD did not respond to FOX 4’s request for comment on Wednesday.
Last week, Celina ISD told FOX 4: "The district has initiated a third-party investigation to review all internal matters associated with this arrest in conjunction with the Celina Police Department’s criminal investigation. At the conclusion of these investigations, the district will provide additional information to our families and take appropriate action."
The Source: Information in this article was provided from interviews conducted by FOX 4's David Sentendrey.