DES MOINES, Iowa — Testimonies continued on Wednesday for a lawsuit that was filed by a family against the Urbandale School District, alleging their daughter was sexually abused during school in 2018.

The Safris family sued the school claiming the school failed to adhere to school policy, which led to their daughter becoming suicidal. The lawsuit alleges that the girl sent nude photos to a male classmate, which were then distributed to others in the school after the girl refused to date the student.

Eileen Mueller, a former special education teacher for Urbandale Middle School, gave her testimony on Wednesday. Mueller was assigned to watch the student accused of the assault during his class due to previous reports that he had harassed other classmates. A report and plan was created for the student called an individualized education plan, this plan lays out steps that should be taken to ensure a smooth class period.

“I have access to it (the IEP) but that doesn’t mean I go back and read the initial report or the evaluation for every student. I usually look at the current IEP that is coming to me,” Mueller said.

A former classmate and student who was in the classroom during the alleged assaults testified that they didn’t see anything happen between the two students. They did clarify that they believed it would have been possible for others who sat closer to the two students to have seen something happen.

During the time of the alleged assault Loren DeKruyf was the Urbandale Principal, he currently serves as the Human Resources Director. DeKruyf says that though there is a history of harassing or disruptive behavior with the male student, measures were taken and records of the incidents were filled.

“Documentation is important so that it can be used for problem solving potentially, or to help show pattern, especially if it led to other discipline after,” said DeKruyf.

The final person to take the stand was an expert witness who has more than 20 years of experience in the teaching and administration world and consults on cases pertaining to administration properly executing their role and investigating school disruptions.

The case will continue Thursday as the defense continues their cross-examination.

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