New Celina ISD lawsuit claims coach's son recorded over 30 children in locker room
New lawsuit filed in case of Celina ISD coach's son
After a Celina ISD coach's son was arrested and the coach placed on leave for an incident involving child sex charges, a new lawsuit has been brought forward against the school for the handling of the situation.
CELINA, Texas - After a Celina ISD coach's son was arrested and the coach placed on leave for an incident involving child sex charges, a new lawsuit has been brought forward against the school for the handling of the situation.
Celina ISD lawsuit
Caleb Elliott (Collin County Jail)
What's new:
The new lawsuit claims "more than thirty (30) families have been notified that their children were victims" of the secret recordings in the locker room.
Nix Patterson is now the second law firm to represent victims in a lawsuit against Caleb Elliott and Celina ISD. This lawsuit, however, is the first to add his father, high school football coach Bill Elliott, as a defendant, as well as Celina ISD’s superintendent and middle school principal, claiming they covered up allegations in the months and years leading up to Caleb Elliott arrest.
Victims sue Celina ISD, claiming district hid coach's history of sexual misconduct
A new lawsuit alleges Celina ISD repeatedly covered up predatory behavior by coach Caleb Elliott, including moving him schools after an "improper" relationship and issuing mild punishment for putting cameras in a locker room, before his recent arrest for secretly recording students.
The lawsuit claims Caleb Elliott "…began an illegal sexual relationship with a vulnerable teenaged student" while working at Celina High School. It claims "in an apparent attempt to quietly handle a scandal involving the son of the revered head coach, Celina ISD simply moved Caleb Elliott from Celina High School across the parkway to Moore Middle School."
The lawsuit also says that last school year, Caleb Elliott was caught placing hidden cameras in the boys’ locker room at Moore Middle School, and was temporarily banned.
In the town of Celina, home to reigning state football champions, hundreds of people have signed a change.org petition to allow Bill Elliott to participate in senior night ceremonies on Friday.
Celina ISD invasive recording arrest
The backstory:
Bill Elliott was placed on paid administrative leave last week amid a third-party investigation triggered by the arrest of his son Caleb Elliott.
Celina High School football coach Bill Elliott placed on leave
Celina High School head football coach and athletic director Bill Elliott has been placed on leave as an investigation into his son’s arrest continues.
Earlier this month, a group of boys told police Caleb Elliott was secretly recording them. Detectives reportedly found images of dozens of students on Caleb Elliott’s phone.
Celina ISD hired a third-party attorney to investigate all allegations. At a news conference Wednesday, state representative Mitch Little questioned if it’s truly an independent investigation.
What they're saying:
"And will we all get to see the results of this investigation or is it privileged to the school board?" Little asked.
Earlier this year, House Bill 4623, introduced by Little, was signed into law which allows easier access for families to sue school districts in sexual abuse cases.
Attorney Brad Beckworth said the petition aiming to include Bill Elliott in the game is poorly timed.
"Now is the time for this community to rally around these kids and not a football coach. Winning football games does not matter," said Beckworth.
What's next:
Celina ISD says Bill Elliott will not be allowed to attend Friday’s game despite the petition. It also insists the third-party investigator will be truly independent. It also says she’s cooperating with sharing findings with law enforcement.
The Source: Information in this update comes from Celina ISD, Representative Mitch Little, a law firm involved in the suit, and previous FOX 4 coverage.