A prestigious San Antonio high school is being sued by the parents of a former soccer player who came forward with allegations of hazing and assault.
As reported by local ABC affiliate KSAT, the lawsuit, filed Thursday morning, alleges Central Catholic had a duty to protect students from harassment, bullying, battery, unlawful detainment, and physical and sexual assault.
The teen’s father alleged in May that some of his son’s soccer teammates threw his son into a locker and bullied, hazed and assaulted him over several months.
KSAT Investigates reporters Daniela Ibarra and Eddie Latigo did not identify the man to protect his teenage son’s identity.
According to the lawsuit, Central Catholic and its staff knew, or should have known, some of the school’s traditions evolved into a “culture of ‘hazing on steroids,’ ” described as violent and intimidating. The lawsuit alleges hazing included sexual abuse and extreme mental abuse, Ibarra and Latigo reported.
Central Catholic High School principal Lee Hernandez, athletic director Edward Ybarra and head soccer coach Bartholomew Valeria, as well as three of the teen’s former teammates, are named as defendants in the lawsuit. The teammates are minors, according to the lawsuit.
In the weeks since the allegations became public, Central Catholic expelled two students and disciplined three others. The school also hired a law firm to investigate the sexual misconduct claims.
