BLUEFIELD — A child's parents have filed a class-action lawsuit against the Monroe County Board of Education amid allegations the child was sexually harassed, abused and assaulted on a school bus.
Donald and Rachel Wilson filed a complaint in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia. alleging that the school board failed to follow applicable safety guidelines and regulations.
According to the complaint, the Wilsons' child was harassed, abused and assaulted by another student on Dec. 5, 2017 while on a school bus operated by defendant, causing the plaintiffs to suffer damages, loss of income, substantial mental anguish, loss of consortium, emotional distress, aggravation, annoyance and inconvenience.
The plaintiffs said they hold the board responsible because it allegedly failed to stop the perpetrator, failed to refer their child for physical examination and failed to adequately punish the perpetrator.
The plaintiffs request a trial by jury and seek judgment against defendant, declaratory relief, award of compensatory and general damages, attorney's fees, costs, interest and further relief as the court deems just. They are represented by Weldon Mark Burnette of Mark Burnette PA in Ocala, Fla.
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia case number 18-cv-642
