ST. LOUIS — A mother is suing a school and its teacher on behalf of her daughter, citing alleged sexual harassment.
The unidentified mother and daughter filed a complaint on Dec. 19 in the St. Louis Circuit Court against Gateway Region Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA), St. Louis Public Schools (SLPS) and Michael Holloman alleging that the defendants failed its duty to intervene in the contact between defendant Holloman and the minor plaintiff to protect from any inappropriate relationship, contact, touching or advances.
According to the complaint, the plaintiffs allege that on Oct. 1, 2016, Holloman allegedly attempted to establish an inappropriate romantic and/or sexual relationship with the minor plaintiff while working as a physical education instructor at the YMCA on behalf of the SLPS.
As a result, the minor sustained damage in the form of mental distress, and required counseling.
The plaintiffs allege the defendants failed to provide sufficient supervision and discipline to its employees; failed to provide proper controls, policies, and procedures to prevent its employees from having inappropriate contact with students; and failed to perform appropriate background checks before hiring employees.
The plaintiffs request a trial by jury; and seek judgment for the sum in excess of $25,000 for interest, plus any other and further relief that the court deems just under the circumstances. They are represented by Matthew J. Padberg and Nicole Burlison Knepper of Padberg, Corrigan & Appelbaum in St. Louis.
St. Louis Circuit Court case number 1722-CC11977