NEW ORLEANS – A New Orleans woman is suing Samuel J. Green Charter School and a bus driver employed by the school claiming her daughter was sexually assaulted on the school bus by an older male student in full view of the other students on the bus and the driver.
Dawneisha Jones, individually and on behalf of her minor child, filed suit against Firstline Schools Inc., Samuel J. Green Charter School and Jennifer Emmons in the Orleans Parish Civil District Court on May 28.
The plaintiff claims that her child was a student at Samuel J. Green Charter School during the 2013-2014 school year and was transported to and from school on a district-owned bus driven by Emmons. Jones states that on May 23, 2014, her child was sexually assaulted by an older male student who, prior to the alleged assault, had been causing trouble at the school and threatening to commit various outrageous acts on the day in question. Jones alleges that the school employees should have taken measures to keep a closer watch on him that day.
The defendant is accused of negligently contributing to the assault on the defendant's daughter and failing to recognize that the older male student could pose a danger to other students.
The plaintiff is seeking an unspecified amount in damages for mental anguish, emotional distress and medical expenses.
The plaintiff is represented by Betsy J. Barnes and Richard L. Root of New Orleans-based Barnes & Root LLC.
This case has been assigned to Div. B Judge Regina H. Woods.
Case no. 2015-04921.