ORLANDO, Fla. (Legal Newsline) — A lawsuit alleges a 15-year-old student was sexually assaulted at an Orlando church/school.
Jane Doe filed a complaint Nov. 3 in Orange County Circuit Court against The First Academy Inc., The First Baptist Church of Orlando Inc., and Harriet Sugg, alleging negligence and other claims.
According to Doe's complaint, she was enrolled at The First Academy, a private Christian school in central Florida in 2014. Doe, who was 15 years old at the time, alleges students were required to take an oath to "obey your leaders and submit to their authority."
Doe alleges that Sugg quickly became her faith-based mentor and told students at the school that she herself was a victim of sexual abuse and offered to help any students with any struggles. She claims Sugg spent time with her off-campus, gave her gifts, allowed her to skip class and befriended her on social media.
Doe further claims that The First Academy knew or should have known of the inappropriate relationship that including hand-holding and touching each other, which further resulted in Sugg grooming, mentally and sexually abusing, manipulating and preying upon her. Sugg is facing criminal charges, in addition to the civil suit.
Doe seeks monetary relief, interest, trial by jury and all other just relief. She is represented by Andrea Lewis and F. Stephanie Barnhart of Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley PA in West Palm Beach.
Orange County Circuit Court case number 185439251