Scotch Plains-Fanwood School Sued Over 'Predator Teacher': Report

SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ — A former student has filed a lawsuit against the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Regional School District after she claims a teacher sexually abused her dozens of times more than 40 years ago, My Central Jersey reported.

According to the newspaper, the lawsuit alleges that an unnamed science teacher abused the former student, who was about 13 years old at the time, in the classroom and laboratory storage room at Terrill Middle School in the late 1970s.

The lawsuit alleges there were also other victims and claims the teacher was a "serial sexual predator." In addition to the school district, the New Jersey Department of Education is listed as a defendant in the case over allegations of negligence.

In New Jersey, changes to state law give sexual abuse victims more time to seek legal action for harm done to them under S477.

From Dec. 1, 2019 to Nov. 30, 2021, the law allows survivors of any age who were abused as minors or adults can file a lawsuit against the person(s) who they claim harmed them as well as institutions, both public and private, who they believe covered up and enabled the assault - no matter how long ago the harm occurred.

For full details regarding the lawsuit, visit My Central Jersey.