Family of student involved in alleged Carmel bus attack may sue

It's been more than a month since Carmel Police and Carmel High School administrators held their joint news conference some parents considered a joke. The sexual hazing case remains shrouded in secrecy. But there's news one of the freshman allegedly attacked may sue.

"At this point I have information that causes me to believe it's been going on for much longer than reported by any news organization I've seen and it involved multiple incidents," said attorney Robert Turner. "I believe it involved my client and others."

Turner now represents a freshman. The young man says he was sexually attacked by senior players on a bus. Turner says other attacks took place in the Carmel High School locker room.

"I have other victims names and I'd like to talk with them," said Turner. He says the parents of his freshman client are angry school administrators have not taken action or made a decisive statement what will happen to the students accused.

"They're frustrated nothing has happened so far," said Turner. "I've spoke to this young man for hours, he's hurt and wonders why it had to happen but it will sort itself out."

Turner says the family contacted him about a week ago. He will conduct his own investigation and says it's ultimately up to the family to decide whether to sue. "It's also their decision on who they sue and there are several options I think," said Turner. That could include Carmel High School, Freshman coaches on the bus, students and even Carmel police if Turner finds the police didn't act properly to investigate the criminal accusations after administrators notified them a report had been made. One big issue is concerns the students on the bus weren't properly supervised to ensure their safety.

"I think there needs to be corrective action taken, I think the coaches could have handled it differently in terms of stopping abusive behavior and acting to protect children from similar incidents," said Turner. "I think the behavior could be characterized as sexual battery."

Turner says he has no timeline but will conduct a thorough investigation of his own. Hamilton County prosecutor Sonia Leerkamp says her office will decide on criminal charges by the end of April. Senior basketball players were reportedly involved in the sexual hazing incident on the bus.