Wilmington, DE - High Road School of Delaware Teacher, James L. Garfield, Charged With Raping 15-Year-Old Student

Special Needs Teacher Arrested For Rape

According to NBC Philadelphia, a teacher has been accused of raping a 15-year-old student at High Road School of Delaware, located at 1200 N French St, Wilmington, DE 19801. 

An investigation was launched on July 11, 2022, after a student reported they were raped by the Delaware teacher, James L. Garfield. Garfield was arrested on July 15, 2022. He is facing charges including two counts of third-degree rape and one count of first-degree sexual abuse of a child by a person of trust. 

Garfield teaches at the High Road School of Delaware, which caters to children in grades third to 12th with "unique needs" such as emotional, learning, and intellectual disabilities. Police are concerned there may be additional victims.

Can I Sue if My Special Needs Student Was Sexually Abused by a Teacher?

Attorney contributor Phil Edwards has spent years representing sex abuse victims and their families in civil lawsuits. Through his experience as a school sex abuse lawyer, he helps them get the justice and financial compensation they deserve. Phil recently shared information regarding a family's legal right to seek justice if a school teacher sexually abused their special needs child.

"Private schools specializing in the care of children with unique needs or learning disabilities have a great moral and legal responsibility to provide a safe environment for the children in their care. It is their duty to maintain that their campus is a safe place for young children to learn and socialize without the fear of preventable dangers, including sexual abuse. Schools can implement basic security measures to reduce the risk of such dangers. These can include cameras in all common areas and background checks on all staff members and teachers. If school officials neglect these safety procedures, they could be held liable in a civil lawsuit." 

"Too often, when abuse occurs in a school, it is due to negligence on behalf of a third party, such as the school. For instance, if previous reports of misconduct by a teacher were ignored, the school could be deemed negligent for failing to prevent further abuse. School sex abuse victims and their families may have grounds to pursue a lawsuit in instances of safety neglect. An experienced school sexual abuse victim attorney can help them determine their best course for legal action."

Sources:

NBC Philadelphia