A central Illinois school district is facing a federal lawsuit alleging a 10 year old special needs child was raped multiple times by a 14 year old student on a school bus.
Taylorville Schools and Durham Bus Services face a lawsuit claiming the student was cornered and sexually assaulted in January of 2024. Ashley and Chadd Peden of Stonington filed a federal lawsuit with Disparti Law Group from Chicago against Taylorville School District and Durham School Services. Cass Casper, attorney for Disparti Law Group, detailed the assaults that occurred and said that while this lawsuit may not make things right, policy needs to be changed.
The lawsuit was filed after a Title 9 investigation that the district undertook. Casper accuses the school district of being more concerned with absolving themselves of responsibility than preventing future incidents from occurring or answering questions that the Pedens had regarding the assault.
The family is urging anyone who has information or details about the incident to give Disparti Law Offices a call.
Next up for the federal lawsuit, the case will be set for a court hearing and processed through the district court. Disparti Law Group and the Pedens have filed four counts: Title IX, Deprivation of Substantive Due Process Right to Bodily Integrity (14th Amendment), Willful and Wanton Negligence, and Negligent Infliction of Emotional Distress.
Regional Radio News has reached out to Durham’s School Services. A representative from Durham’s says they are unable to comment on any active litigation. Taylorville School District has yet to respond to the request for comment.
