Trial News

Doe, a junior at Spring Valley High School, was allegedly the target of unwanted sexual advances from Jamel Bradley, a sheriff’s deputy serving as a school resource officer. Doe reported the alleged sexual advances to the school, which passed on the complaint to the Richland County Sheriff’s Department. The sheriff’s department suspended Bradley for one day, and then he returned to the school.

Doe suffered an exacerbation of her preexisting depressive disorder, which has required ongoing counseling and treatment. Additionally, she spent the remainder of the school year learning from home.

Doe sued the Richland County School District 2 and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department for gross negligence. Suit also alleged that the school district was liable for its failure to conduct a Title IX investigation. The plaintiff asserted that records obtained through a FOIA request showed that she was at least the fifth person to report inappropriate behavior by Bradley during his tenure as a school resource officer but that the sheriff’s department responded to these complaints by conducting only minimal investigations or transferring him to a different school.

The defense initially argued that Doe’s allegations were false and then asserted that Bradley’s alleged behavior was outside the course and scope of his duties.

The parties settled for $900,000. The school district paid $600,000, and the sheriff’s department paid the rest.

Citation: Doe v. Richland Cty. Sch. Dist. 2, No. 3:18-cv-02731 (D.S.C. June 5, 2020).

Plaintiff counsel: James B. Moore III, Scott C. Evans, and Daniel Boles, all of Charleston, S.C.