BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — A lawsuit filed against the Kern High School District claims a high-functioning autistic Centennial High student was sexually assaulted by another Centennial High student on campus.
According to the lawsuit, on or about May 22, 2018, a high-functioning autistic student was locked in a bathroom and sexually assaulted by another, older student. The lawsuit claims the alleged victim previously reported a prior occasion of unwanted physical contact on campus with the same older student to school officials.
The lawsuit claims KHSD and two other defendants "failed to provide adequate supervision, security, protection, and/or safety measures." According to the lawsuit, the alleged victim required "uninterrupted supervision on campus during school hours." The lawsuit claims "no teacher or staff member" was supervising the alleged victim during the incident. The lawsuit claims no teacher or staff member in the immediate vicinity was carrying a key to the bathroom, which was "locked from the inside."
23ABC News has reached out to KHSD for a comment. As of the time of publication, we have not heard back.
23ABC News also reached to the Bakersfield Police Department to determine if there was a criminal investigation into the allegations. BPD was unable to confirm whether there was a criminal investigation. Officials say they need more details to determine to check their records and determine if there was an investigation.
This is a developing story. We will update you as more information becomes available.
