YORK COUNTY, Pa. – A school district and its principal in York County are facing a lawsuit from parents who claim that they failed to report a case of alleged sexual assault on a school bus involving a five-year-old girl last year. According to the lawsuit filed on Feb. 1 in the Middle District of Pennsylvania Court, the Red Lion School District and Clearview Elementary School Principal Michael Langan allegedly did not report the incident, in which a male student reportedly assaulted the girl on Oct. 16.
The lawsuit also alleges that both the district and Langan were aware of a previous sexual assault committed by the male student against another female student but took no action. Despite this knowledge, the district continued to allow the boy to ride the bus with other girls, the lawsuit claims.
Attorney Justin Robinette, representing the plaintiffs, argues in the lawsuit that the defendants violated the plaintiff’s right to equal protection under the law. He asserts that the defendants were aware of the presence of a student with a history of sexual assault on the bus and, despite this knowledge, turned a blind eye, leading to the minor’s sexual assault.
As a school principal, Langan is a mandatory reporter, meaning he is legally obligated under Pennsylvania law to report any instances of child abuse. The district is also accused of failing to protect the girl further by allowing her and the male student to continue riding the same bus after the assault. In January, the lawsuit alleges, the boy even bruised the girl’s arm on the bus.
The parents of another female student who claims to have been sexually assaulted also included a statement in the lawsuit. According to the statement, Langan assured the family that he would “take care of it” and advised against reporting the incident to anyone.
The alleged assault has had a significant impact on the young girl, who no longer wants to ride the school bus or attend school altogether. The lawsuit also highlights the emotional distress experienced by the girl.
ABC27 News contacted the Red Lion School District and Langan for comment, but as of this writing, they have not responded.
The parents are seeking $650,000 in restitution from both the district and principal.