Dyersburg City Schools faces multi-million-dollar lawsuit following alleged sexual assault of special needs child

RACHEL TOWNSEND

Managing Editor

Two Dyersburg parents have filed a multi-million-dollar lawsuit against Dyersburg City Schools following the alleged sexual harassment of their son, a special needs student at Dyersburg Middle School in 2023. To protect the identity of the child, the parents have requested their names not be mentioned in the following report.

According to the official complaint, filed with the Dyer County Circuit Court in February of 2024, the minor child was subject to sexual harassment by fellow students while using the restroom facilities.

The lawsuit alleges school officials were made aware of the harassment and assaults. The complaint further states “school officials admitted that a problem existed with the supervision and control of the children in the boys’ bathroom at Dyersburg Middle School and in conversation with [the child’s parents].”

A plan was then allegedly created to limit the number of students entering the restroom at any one time and to prohibit certain students from being present in the restroom at the same time as the child being harassed and assaulted.

In February 2023, despite the plan put into place, the complaint alleges the assault on the child continued to occur in the restroom, escalating into attempted rape.

The parents are suing for $1M, with punitive damages not to exceed $3M.

Jenkins, Dedmon Law Group LLP has been retained as representation in the matter.

The State Gazette contacted Dyersburg City Schools in regard to the lawsuit on Friday morning, September 13. Officials state they are unable to provide comment on an active lawsuit.

This lawsuit follows one filed in 2022 involving the alleged assault of a minor child by a Dyersburg Middle School art teacher:

[https://www.stategazette.com/story/3002912.html#:~:text=A%20%24300%2C000%20lawsuit%20has%20been%20filed%20against%20Dyersburg,occurred%20between%20the%20plaintiff%20and%20another%20minor%20child].