An intellectually disabled girl who was allegedly sexually assaulted after being led away from her school by three male students has filed a lawsuit against Starbucks, Pittsburgh Public Schools, and a property management company. The mother of the girl has accused these entities of negligence, claiming that they failed to provide adequate supervision and security measures.
According to the lawsuit, school personnel at Taylor Allderdice High School allegedly did not provide proper care and supervision to the girl during school hours and while she was being transported to and from school. The lawsuit also alleges that Starbucks and the property management company, 101 Kappa Drive Associates #1, were aware of the increasing crime issues in the area but failed to provide adequate security measures or train their employees on how to respond to and report criminal activities.
The incident occurred in October 2022, when the 15-year-old girl was led off campus by three male students. The lawsuit claims that Starbucks employees witnessed the male students taking turns entering the bathroom with the girl but did not intervene. The alleged assailants then took her to an empty building managed by Kappa, where one of the boys sexually assaulted her.
Initially, the girl was unable to communicate what had happened to her mother. However, days later, the mother was notified by the school that her daughter was found crying alone at a lunchroom table due to a rumor that three boys had engaged in sexual activity with her. The mother then met with school officials who were later informed that the incident had taken place at Starbucks, not at the school as initially suspected.
The girl's mother took her for a medical examination, which reportedly showed signs of sexual assault. The assault was reported to the police, but no charges have been filed more than a year later.
A spokesperson for the Pittsburgh Department of Public Safety stated that the case has been closed, and the county district attorney's office has declined to pursue charges. Starbucks has yet to provide a comment, and attempts to reach Kappa for a statement have so far been unsuccessful. Pittsburgh Public Schools declined to comment on the pending litigation.
The lawsuit also highlights the lack of supervision and safety measures for the girl. Pittsburgh Public Schools provides bus passes for high school students who live within a certain distance from the school, and a bus stop was located in front of the Starbucks near Taylor Allderdice High School. According to the lawsuit, the girl's mother had notified school officials that her daughter needed assistance with adjusting to high school and taking public transportation due to her intellectual disabilities. However, the lawsuit claims that she was left unsupervised during her first months at the high school, where she would either wander the halls or hide in the bathroom during classes. The lawsuit further alleges that the school failed to enforce tardy and attendance policies for the girl and did not provide safety monitors during school hours or during transportation to and from the bus stop.
The girl's mother expressed her frustration and disappointment with the lack of oversight and protection for her daughter. She emphasized that if her daughter goes to school in the morning, she should be able to return home safely in the afternoon. The mother strongly believes that Taylor Allderdice High School allowed her daughter to be lured off campus, while Starbucks failed to protect her from the attack that occurred in its bathrooms.
The lawsuit also cites a history of incidents in the vicinity of the Starbucks, including fights, vandalism, harassment of customers, and drug-related issues. Business owners in the same building have reportedly raised concerns about student behavior and have requested a relocation of the bus stop during school board meetings.
The lawsuit alleges that Starbucks and Kappa failed to address the known issues of crime, violence, and mischief in the area. It claims that they did not establish policies, conduct training for employees on safety measures, or provide security personnel during high traffic periods. The lawsuit further alleges that Starbucks employees allowed students unrestricted access to their bathrooms, partly driven by increased sales resulting from student customers.
The girl's identity has been kept confidential in the lawsuit, and The Associated Press does not disclose the names of victims of sexual assault or abuse unless they choose to come forward publicly.
This lawsuit highlights the importance of providing adequate supervision and security for vulnerable individuals, especially in educational institutions and public spaces. It raises questions about the responsibility of schools, businesses, and property management companies in ensuring the safety of their students and patrons.
