MANKATO — A lawsuit filed against Montgomery-Lonsdale Public Schools, claiming the school district was partially responsible for a student being sexually assaulted by a former coach and teacher, has moved to federal court.
The lawsuit was filed by the parents of the 14-year-old girl who was sexually assaulted by 36-year-old Troy Michael Bernard, a former Montgomery elementary teacher and middle school girls volleyball and track coach. Bernard pleaded guilty to criminal sexual conduct in October and was sentenced to 12 years in prison in January.
The girl was not identified in criminal court records. Her parents, who filed the civil lawsuit in February on her behalf, are identified as “Father Doe 112 and Mother Doe 112.” Bernard admitted to having intercourse and participating in other sexual acts with the girl. Most of the several incidents cited by investigators took place at Bernard’s home, but at least one incident took place at the school, court records said.
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