Ludlow’s mother files lawsuit against town, alleging former teacher sexually assaulted student

LUDLOW — Mother of a girl who once went to school Paul R. Baird Middle School He filed a lawsuit against the town and a former teacher, alleging sexual harassment.

Former social studies teacher Kevin Weiss and the town of Ludlow were named as defendants in the lawsuit filed Oct. 15 in Hampden Superior Court. The plaintiffs are “Jane Doe,” the mother of 14-year-old “Susie Doe,” who took that name to protect the student’s privacy.

The claim, filed by Springfield attorney Laura Mangini, alleged that Weiss inappropriately touched Susie Doe and three other female students and later filed a Title IX complaint.

As a result of the investigation, Weiss is no longer employed in the Ludlow school system, Mangini said. No criminal charges were filed against him.

The Republican reached out to Baird Principal Jason M. Taylor for comment.

“The investigation revealed that Defendant Kevin Weiss created a hostile classroom environment that negatively impacted female students, including Susie Doe, and denied students equal access to educational experiences,” the complaint states.

The Republican also repeatedly tried to contact Weiss. It is unclear whether he has a lawyer. An attorney for the town of Ludlow said his firm has not yet been served with the complaint.

The lawsuit includes allegations of sexual assault, battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress against Weiss, as well as charges of negligence and negligent infliction of emotional distress against the town.

“Defendant Kevin Weiss sexually assaulted Susie Doe when he touched her inappropriately, without her consent, in a sexual manner, including placing his hands on her breasts,” the complaint states. The complaint states that the incident occurred when the teacher tried to prevent the student from leaving the classroom to see a friend in the hallway.

Other students and witnesses allegedly reported during an internal investigation that Weiss brought some girls, including the plaintiff, to the front of his class, whispering in their ears or touching their shoulders.

“Multiple witnesses confirmed that defendant Kevin Weiss regularly touched female students on the shoulders, but not male students… he regularly invaded female students’ personal space and frequently made the ‘good girl’ comment to female students, but did not use any such expression. comments directed at male students,” the complaint says.

When Doe complained to school administrators, she was accused by another teacher of making false allegations and being a “ringleader” among her peers. That teacher, Heather Goncalves, later became Doe’s science and math teacher, and perceived hostility toward Doe forced her to drop out in eighth grade in favor of distance learning, according to the lawsuit.

The complaint says at least one student began harassing Doe on Snapchat, calling her a liar and saying Weiss “didn’t want to touch her,” but also adds that “rumors” about Weiss had been circulating for nearly eight years.

Doe eventually left the Ludlow school system to attend high school in another district.

The alleged distress began to affect Doe’s health, causing panic attacks and suicidal thoughts, according to the complaint.

While Weiss was released, the state’s teacher licensing database shows Weiss has a license valid through 2028.