The parents of an eight-year-old former second-grade student at Brinker Elementary School have filed a civil lawsuit against the Plano Independent School District, the school’s principal, and former teacher Paul Campbell. The suit alleges gross negligence, claiming the district failed to act on earlier reports of inappropriate conduct despite being notified before Campbell’s arrest.
According to the lawsuit, another parent reported that Campbell had engaged in inappropriate touching months before the plaintiff’s daughter came forward. The family asserts that the allegations were not reported to law enforcement or the Texas Education Agency by the principal. The principal has not been investigated or charged in connection with the case.
Campbell, 64, was initially arrested on July 8 and charged with continuous sexual abuse of a child. An arrest warrant affidavit states that he abused a student at his desk over the past school year. The eight-year-old girl told her parents during the Fourth of July weekend that Campbell touched her between the legs while she was asking a question at his desk.
She stated the behavior occurred throughout the year and that Campbell would run his hand through her clothing. She also noted that a friend and possibly other female classmates experienced similar incidents, but she did not observe any male classmates being affected.
Following the initial outcry, police obtained three additional warrants for Campbell on charges of indecency with a child. Investigators reported that two other victims came forward with similar stories after the first victim spoke out. A fourth student, who was in Campbell’s class two years prior, told investigators he touched her inappropriately while she sat on his lap.
Investigators indicated that additional students have come forward, though no further charges have been filed.
