News Summary
The mother of a special needs student has filed a lawsuit against the Richland One school district, alleging that a janitor sexually assaulted her daughter at Columbia High School. The incident reportedly occurred during the setup of a concession stand. The lawsuit claims negligence on the school’s part, as the janitor had a history of inappropriate behavior toward minors. The case raises broader concerns about student safety and the effectiveness of supervision measures in schools across the district.
A lawsuit has been filed against the Richland One school district by the mother of a special needs student who alleges that a janitor sexually assaulted her daughter at Columbia High School. The lawsuit, submitted on May 28, 2025, centers around an incident that reportedly took place in January 2023 while the student was involved in setting up a concession stand at an after-school basketball game.
According to the complaints detailed in the lawsuit, the janitor, whose identity has not been revealed, allegedly made inappropriate sexual advances toward the student, which included physical groping. Furthermore, the lawsuit claims that prior to the incident, the janitor had a reputation for making sexual comments toward minors within the school environment.
The special needs student disclosed the assault to her family shortly after it occurred, prompting a report to law enforcement. Despite this, the janitor reportedly remained employed by the school, leaving the victim feeling unsafe in her educational environment. As a result of the incident, the lawsuit alleges that the school district exhibited negligence in failing to protect the student from potential harm.
As investigations into the matter unfold, a spokesperson for Richland One has declined to comment directly on the allegations made in the lawsuit. Additionally, the Richland County Sheriff’s Department has not yet responded to requests for public records or reports related to the incident, leaving details surrounding the case limited at this time.
Columbia High School, which serves roughly 630 students in the St. Andrews area, has a troubling history of violent incidents, raising concerns among parents and the community. There have been previous incidents of violence at the school, including a stabbing in November 2023 that left one student hospitalized, and another incident in October 2021 where a student was severely injured during a confrontation.
The lawsuit seeks both actual and special damages for the harm inflicted on the student, who is reportedly experiencing significant physical, mental, and emotional distress as a result of the alleged assault. In response to the lawsuit, Richland One has requested a ruling from a judge to dismiss the plaintiff’s claims.
This lawsuit not only highlights a singular incident of alleged misconduct but also raises broader issues regarding safety and supervision in schools throughout the Richland One district. Parents are increasingly concerned about the measures in place to protect students, especially vulnerable populations such as those with special needs.
As the case progresses through the legal system, it serves as a critical reminder for educational institutions to prioritize student safety and ensure that all allegations of misconduct are thoroughly investigated to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
The outcome of this lawsuit may have implications that extend beyond this incident, calling into question the adequacy of training, policies, and overall safety measures implemented within school districts, particularly concerning the supervision of staff and protection of students. The broader conversation surrounding student safety continues to evolve as stakeholders seek to find solutions that ensure a safe and secure educational environment for all students.
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Additional Resources
- Post and Courier: Columbia High School Student Assault
- Wikipedia: School Safety
- The State: Local Education News
- Google Search: Columbia High School Assault
- WISTV: Lawsuit Alleges Negligence in High School Shooting
- Google Scholar: School Safety Lawsuits
- NJ.com: Lawsuit Against Principal
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Education
- Columbia Tribune: Wrongful Death Lawsuit
- Google News: School Safety
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