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Friday, March 29, 2024 | Back issues
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Mom Says School Covered for Molester

CHICAGO (CN) - A mother claims in court that an elementary school sports coach molested her daughter for 3 years while giving her rides to games and practices - and that the school knew about it.

Jane Doe sued Idris Bridgeforth and the Chicago Public School District in Cook County Court.

Doe's daughter attends Ashburn Elementary School on the South Side of Chicago.

According to her complaint, "On or about August 1, 2009 and through June 7, 2012, and at all times relevant hereto, defendant Bridgeforth coached and mentored Minor Doe in basketball and track at Ashburn.

"On or about August 1, 2009 and through June 7, 2012, and at all times relevant hereto, defendant Bridgeforth would pick Minor Doe up from the home she lived in with her mother, plaintiff Jane Doe, and would drive Minor Doe in his motor vehicle to Ashburn track meets and track practices, in violation of CPS [Chicago Public Schools] and Ashburn policies and/or procedures. ...

"On or about August 1, 2009 and through June 7, 2012, and at all times relevant hereto CPS knew defendant Bridgeforth was repeatedly alone with Minor Doe in his motor vehicle, on and off of CPS property, preceding and subsequent to Ashburn basketball games, basketball practices, track meets and track practices, in violation of CPS and Ashburn policies and/or procedure."

The mother claims her daughter "was the subject of repeated sexual assaults by defendant Bridgeforth, whereby defendant Bridgeforth made contact with multiple areas of Minor Doe's person, including but not limited to Minor Doe's breasts and vaginal area, while he was acting as an actual agent, apparent agent, employee and/or servant of CPS."

The mother claims: "CPS knew that Minor Doe was the subject of repeated sexual assaults by defendant Bridgeforth, whereby defendant Bridgeforth made contact with multiple areas of Minor Doe's person including but not limited to Minor Doe's breasts and vaginal area, while he was acting as an actual agent, apparent agent, employee and/or servant of CPS."

And, the mother claims: "On or about December 1, 2011 and through June 7, 2012, and at all times relevant hereto, defendant Bridgeforth repeatedly sent Minor Doe text messages of a profane and sexual nature to Minor Doe's iPod, in violation of CPS and Ashburn policies and/or procedures."

The mother claims that Bridgeforth was arrested on June 6 this year, "and charged with sexual assault with regards to Minor Doe and was ordered held on a $250,000.00 bond."

Doe seeks damages for battery, emotional distress, and willful and wanton action, and reimbursement for her daughter's medical expenses.

She is represented by Antonio Romanucci with Romanucci & Blandin.

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