A father who sued the Gary Community School Corp. alleging a school volunteer sexually assaulted his autistic daughter may soon reach a settlement, according to court records.
On Tuesday, the state Distressed Unit Appeal Board approved a $75,000 settlement in the case, which was not discussed. The DUAB oversees the school district because of its distressed financial status.
The girl, then 13, was assaulted during lunch at the Gary Career Center’s summer school program on June 26, 2017, when a teacher allowed her to stay alone in the classroom with a volunteer assistant, the suit claims.
The child told another school employee, who contacted her father. Both Gary schools and the teacher failed to protect her, because they knew the man “should not be left alone with any young, female students,” the suit states.
The settlement was reached May 19, according to court filings, although the dollar amount there was sealed from public disclosure. A hearing to approve the settlement is scheduled Thursday before Lake Superior Court Judge Gina L. Jones.
The Post-Tribune is not naming the volunteer, a Lake County resident, since he does not appear to have been charged in criminal court.
South Bend attorney Brent Inabnit, representing the girl’s father, declined to comment on the case Wednesday. Gary Community School Corp. spokeswoman Chelsea Whittington said it would not comment on a personnel matter.
Additionally, the girl had attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and a language impairment, documents show. The family is looking to establish a financial trust for her.
The lawsuit was filed in July 2018.