Carmel Schools release documents about student attacks

Attorney for Carmel Clay Schools, David Day walked down the office stairs and delivered packets to all media Friday. In these packets were documents Fox59 News had requested months ago. He spoke briefly.

Among the documents was a tort claim, an intent to sue Carmel Clay Schools. The document is blacked out to hide the names of those invovled, but it said the varsity, JV and freshman basketball teams use the same locker room. It also said no adult staff member remains in the locker room and there is no protection for younger players from the older ones, and no supervision.

The claim goes on to say there is a lenghty history of sexual assaults in that locker room. It added that there is a history of abuse and bulllying by students at Carmel.  The final page said the petitioner is suing for $2.25 million.

The school district released other documents (also blacked out in parts) including correspondence between superintendent Jeff Swensson and Principal John Williams along with administrators.

One document from the insurance company was sent to the school on February 26th. The document was address to the Director of Student Services Steve Dillion. In it, the insurer asks for any internal school documents. In the last line, the letter reads: we need to review coverages available to the school by the insurance policy, as well as to find out if the allegations actually happened.

Letters from parents to head basketball Coach Mark Galloway regarding the incident were also included.

Fox59 News also learned the two Department of Child Services victim assessments have now been closed.

"If the allegations are substantiated then a copy is sent to the prosecutor. If an assessment is not substantiated then under Indiana law the records will be expunged within six months," said Anne Houseworth, spokeswoman for DCS.

She could not comment which status the Carmel cases were closed under.

Bob Turner, attorney for one freshman victim, said in a released tort claim, that there has been a pattern of sexual assaults by seniors on freshman players for years at Carmel. He also said in the tort, the locker rooms are completeley unsupervised by coaches or any adults where some of the attacks took place.

Fox59 News has learned the administrators have admitted a design flaw with the locker's layout. While other area high schools have coaches offices adjacent to their locker rooms, Carmel's coaches offices are on a separate floor.

Two freshman victims were allegedly assaulted in the locker room January 8th, with allegations of "anal peneatration," according to attorney Bob Turner.

Hamilton County Prosecutor Sonia Leerkamp said Monday she will make no further comments on the Carmel cases and "wants the court system do it's job."