Autistic boy sexually assaulted at school by other students, suit says

The family of an autistic student has filed a lawsuit against the Ocean View School District in Orange County, alleging he was bullied and sexually assaulted by two peers on campus, and that school officials allowed the abuse to occur.

The district is being sued along with four employees on claims of negligence, emotional distress and violation of the Disabilities Education Act, among other allegations. The suit also targets two boys for alleged sexual assault and battery.

The suit seeks unspecified monetary damages and restitution, the Huntington Beach Independent reported.

According to the claim filed March 21, the student had been bullied multiple times by the two boys. The school is not identified in the complaint, but two of the defendants are connected to Marine View Middle School in Huntington Beach.

District officials referred questions to Michael Declues, an attorney representing the district in the case. He did not return a call seeking comment Wednesday.

Gregory Freeburg, the plaintiffs’ lawyer, declined to comment.

The lawsuit says the student was knocked over by the two boys in separate incidents and another time was punched in the groin. On June 12, 2013, the suit alleges, the boys again punched him in the groin and “sexually battered him with a marker.” The student required surgery because of the incident, the suit claims.

The family alleges that four school officials knew about the bullying and assaults but did not resolve the situation.

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