Lakewood Elementary Student Exposed in Bathroom Incident

Lakewood Elementary Student Exposed in Bathroom Incident

HORRY COUNTY, S.C. – The parents of a former Lakewood Elementary School student have filed a lawsuit against Horry County Schools and school administrators following an alleged indecent exposure incident on campus last year.

The lawsuit, which names the principal and assistant principal of Lakewood Elementary, as well as the district’s chief officer of student services, claims that on October 20, the victim was inside a bathroom stall when another student crawled underneath to enter the same stall. The lawsuit alleges that the other student proceeded to remove her pants and engage in inappropriate behavior in front of the victim.

Immediate Reporting and Consequences

According to court documents, the victim promptly reported the incident to her teacher. However, instead of being expelled for her actions, the offending student was reportedly only suspended for a brief period of time. The lawsuit argues that the behavior exhibited falls under the South Carolina Discipline Laws and Regulation’s definition of “criminal conduct,” which can result in expulsion or other severe sanctions as determined by school authorities.

Impact on the Victim

Following the incident, the victim’s parents felt compelled to remove their daughter from Lakewood Elementary and enroll her in another school due to concerns about her safety. The lawsuit states that the school district’s perceived inadequate safety measures caused the minor severe mental anguish and distress, ultimately traumatizing her and instilling a sense of paranoia about returning to the school environment.

The court documents express that the incident will likely leave a lasting impact on the victim, requiring years, if not decades, to overcome and process the distressing experience of witnessing the inappropriate behavior in the school bathroom that day.

Legal Action and Requests for Relief

The parents have requested compensation for expenses related to private education and therapy for their daughter, as well as coverage for the costs associated with the lawsuit. Additionally, the lawsuit seeks further relief deemed appropriate by the Court in light of the circumstances.

Horry County Schools has declined to comment on the ongoing legal matter at this time.

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