Westchester School District sued after former teacher charged with sexual abusing student
WESTCHESTER, Ill. (WLS) -- A new lawsuit has been filed against the Westchester School District after a former teacher was charged with sexually abusing a student more than 20 years ago.
Last summer, Dawn Chester was charged with aggravated criminal sexual abuse. She was placed, at that time, on administrative leave from the Berkley School District 87.
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Attorneys for the victim claim the Westchester School District did not take the proper measures back in 2000 to ensure Chester could not teach at another school, once she resigned over the allegations.
"Those who were in a position of authority could have prevented this, could have stopped this, could have limited this, and didn't do so. There's an obligation now to make our client whole," said attorney David Rashid.
The civil complaint alleges Chester began writing letters to the girl, then 11 years old, in 1998, and inappropriate contact continued for two years.
The science teacher and volleyball coach allegedly touched the student inappropriately on several occasions.
"My client was sexually abused in the science lab in the classroom and in the gym," Rashid said.
The complaint further alleges the girl's mother found the letters and took them to the school, but the school did not contact police or the Department of Children and Family Services at the time.
More than two decades later, this past June, the victim discovered through social media Chester was working as a teacher at Northlake Middle School and immediately reported her to police.
Attorneys believe Chester could have other victims and are asking anyone to come forward.
The Plaintiff did not want to be identified but shared a statement, saying, in part: "I am coming forward now with my story as painful as it is to share and relive because I believe I can make a difference in holding the abuser and those who allowed this to happen accountable."
The superintendent of Berkeley School District 87 told ABC7 Chester was put on indefinite administrative leave when they learned of the criminal charge and there have been no complaints about her during her 20 years as a science teacher there.
The superintendent of Westchester School District 92.5 would not comment on pending litigation.
Meanwhile, the Westchester School District releasing a statement, saying, "While we are aware of the lawsuit, the district does not comment on pending litigation to respect the legal process and the privacy of those involved."
Last summer after authorities announced charges against Chester, the school district released a statement, saying,
"Today, District Administration was contacted by the Westchester Police Department and informed of the arrest of Dawn Chester, who was employed as a science teacher at Westchester Middle School from 1993-2000. Please see the Police statement on this matter here. The District was initially contacted by the Police in late June of this year and informed that a former student had reported that she had been sexually abused more than 20 years ago as a 6th-7th grade student when Ms. Chester (originally hired as Ms. Anderson and later known as Ms. Lach) was her teacher and volleyball coach.
"No current Westchester 92.5 administrators were employed at the District at that time. A review of Ms. Chester's personnel file indicates that the District was made aware of concerning written notes and email communications between the former teacher and student in 2000. Our records affirm that the District worked with the family to address their concerns, ultimately resulting in Ms. Chester's resignation in 2000.
"The District has cooperated fully with the Westchester Police in their investigation of this matter. This included providing them copies of the notes and emails between the former teacher and student received as part of the family's original report to the District in 2000.
"Despite the fact that these allegations relate to a report of incidents from more than 20 years ago, we felt it important to communicate with our families and staff about this matter directly. Furthermore, we want to emphasize that Westchester 92.5 is committed to protecting and ensuring the safety of our learning community and the well-being of our students. As a part of our pre-employment process, we conduct an employment history review, criminal background checks, and cross-checks with federal and state sexual offender databases. In addition, all faculty and staff participate in annual mandatory training regarding the parameters of appropriate conduct with students, as well as other topics related to maintaining a safe school environment. Each year, all District faculty and staff also affirm in writing their acknowledgment of a duty to report any suspicions or knowledge of abuse or neglect of a student.
'There is no record that Westchester 92.5 was contacted by any prospective employer of, or provided an employment reference, for Ms. Chester. The current Illinois School Code provides additional protections that require a school district to report to the State Superintendent of Education and the applicable regional superintendent of schools any teacher of whom there is reasonable cause to believe has committed an intentional act of abuse or neglect, or an act of sexual misconduct, involving a minor child, that resulted in the teacher's dismissal or resignation from the school district. Such reporting can result in the revocation of a teaching license. No such requirement was in place in 2000."
