According to Times Union, the school employee worked as a custodian for the Guilderland Central School District at Farnsworth Middle School located at 6072 State Farm Rd, Guilderland, NY 12084.
Tuesday, Anjalih 21, 2022, 28-year-old Raquan D. Dyson was arrested and charged with sexually assaulting a teen. Allegedly Dyson had sexual intercourse multiple times with the 14-year-old girl at her home. He began working at the middle school in December 2021 and worked the night shift according to the Superintendent.
The custodian is facing felony charges of second-degree rape, a criminal sexual act, disseminating indecent materials to minors, and a misdemeanor, including endangering the welfare of a child.
Laurence Banville, an attorney contributor for Legal Herald, is an experienced sexual assault lawyer who has represented many victims of sexual abuse in civil litigation. Laurence has shared his thoughts on the legal rights of victims who have been sexually abused by a custodian, including when a school can be held liable for sexual assault.
"Schools are required by law to provide a safe environment for the children under their supervision. Sadly, there have been several reports of sexual assault in schools around the country. Predators frequently find work in schools, where they have positions of power and trust, allowing for sexual abuse to occur more easily. To protect the safety of the children, schools and their administration must do all possible to prevent predators from getting access to the school's campus. To maintain this degree of safety, adequate measures should be maintained. Cameras installed throughout the school, monitoring security guards, and background checks are just a few examples."
"If a student is sexually assaulted by a school employee, such as a janitor or custodian, their family should inquire about the school's security. If a school is proven to have failed to provide proper protection, it may be held liable in a lawsuit. Sexual assault by school employees may occur as a result of a third party's negligence, such as the administration. If misconduct was previously reported, but the school did not thoroughly investigate, this is considered negligence. Victims and their families should seek the advice of an experienced sexual abuse lawyer to understand their legal rights for justice better. They may have reasonable grounds for a civil suit in cases of negligence, and they may even be able to recover compensation."