Horry County Schools sued after alleged sexual assault between young students
A set of parents are suing the Horry County School District for its response after the parents say a child exposed herself to their daughter in an elementary school bathroom.
On Oct. 18 2023, the plaintiff’s child was using a bathroom at Lakewood Elementary School when another student climbed into the stall, according to the court complaint. The other student then took off her pants and touched herself inappropriately in front of the victim..
Horry County Schools’ Director of Communications Lisa Bourcier declined to comment, saying, “HCS does not comment on matters related to pending litigation.”
The victim, who is under 12 years old, immediately told her teacher what happened in the bathroom, the complaint says. Two days later, on Oct. 20, Assistant Principal Aimee McElveen called the Horry County Police Department about an indecent exposure at the school that morning.
The parents are suing the Horry County School District, Lakewood Principal Katherine Roberts, McElveen, and Velna Allen, the chief officer of student services at Horry County Schools. The lawsuit alleges negligence, gross negligence and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
The lawsuit states the other student was suspended for a short period and an “inadequate” safety plan was created. The plaintiffs allege negligence and gross negligence because the school district did not “properly discipline the other student” and failed to create a safe environment for the victim following the assault.
The lawsuit alleges intentional infliction of emotional distress because the school district placed the victim in the same circle as her alleged assaulter. The plaintiff’s child was scared the student would assault her again and fears returning to a public school environment.
The plaintiffs enrolled their child in Lowcountry Connections Academy, an online public school, “so that the Minor child would not be terrorized by the assailant going forward.”
The parents are seeking damages determined by the court.
