In a disturbing case of school negligence and lack of supervision, the Burlington County Special Services School District (BCSSSD) has agreed to pay $650,000 to settle claims that a 12-year-old student sexually assaulted a seven-year-old boy during 2019 Holiday Show at a BCSSSD school. The case raises serious questions about how schools protect vulnerable children, especially those with special needs.

According to the lawsuit, the older student had a history of sexual misconduct, known behavioral risks, and was required to have constant supervision for the safety of himself and others. Despite these warnings, school staff allegedly failed to follow mandated precautions, leading to preventable and devastating trauma.

A Pattern of Prior Sexual Misconduct

The attacker, identified in court documents as L.J., had already been accused of sexually abusing two other students in the school’s indoor swimming pool only weeks before the Holiday Show incident.

After those earlier assaults, the district suspended L.J. and imposed strict restrictions, including:

  • He must be supervised 1:1 at all times
  • He must use only an individual bathroom
  • He must never be alone with other students

These policies were put in place to protect the student body—especially younger, more vulnerable children like the seven-year-old victim, identified as Q.S.

Supervisor Ignored Restrictions, Leading to Assault

Despite the clear safety protocols, the lawsuit alleges that L.J.’s assigned supervisor failed to follow them during the Holiday Show on December 12, 2019.

Both boys were seated with dozens of students in the school’s auto detail shop as they waited to perform. The supervisor later said she believed the boys were “becoming friends,” but the family of Q.S. asserts that the seven-year-old was being harassed and groomed.

According to the complaint:

  • L.J. forced Q.S. to remove his pants and touch himself while seated in the auto shop
  • Q.S. then asked to go to the bathroom to wash his hands
  • L.J. insisted on going with him
  • The supervisor took both boys to a multi-stall boy’s bathroom, instead of an individual restroom, violating protocol
  • She remained outside, unsupervised, while the boys went inside together

Inside the stall, L.J. forced his way in and sexually assaulted the younger child.

Only later did the supervisor knock on the door and direct them out.

School Failed to Protect a Vulnerable Child

After the holiday show ended, Q.S.’s parent saw L.J. following the boy and even “caressing” his shoulders. When asked what was going on, the seven-year-old disclosed the assault—prompting immediate reporting to school staff.

The next day, the principal interviewed L.J., who admitted to sexually abusing Q.S. in the bathroom.

The lawsuit alleges that the supervisor’s failure to follow mandated restrictions allowed this assault to occur, causing irreparable trauma to a vulnerable child. The supervisor was placed on paid leave and later retired.

School District Pays $650,000 to Settle Claims

On October 30, 2025, the Burlington County Special Services School District agreed to pay $650,000 to resolve the family’s claims. Although the settlement does not include an admission of liability, the lawsuit alleged that the assault occurred because safety protocols were ignored.

For parents, this case underscores a critical truth:
Schools have a legal and moral duty to protect children—especially those with disabilities or known vulnerabilities.

If Your Child Was Harmed at School, Medina | Morgan Can Help

When a school fails to protect a child from assault, abuse, or known dangers, the consequences can last a lifetime. Our firm has extensive experience in civil-rights litigation, institutional negligence, and cases involving vulnerable children, including failures by schools, correctional facilities, hospitals, and special needs programs.

At Medina | Morgan, we handle cases involving:

  • Child-on-child sexual abuse
  • Failure to supervise
  • Violations of safety plans 
  • Abuse or neglect in special needs, behavioral, or residential programs
  • School district liability claims

Your family deserves answers. Your child deserves justice. And institutions that fail to protect children must be held accountable.

Call Medina | Morgan today for a free, confidential consultation.

We represent families throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and nationwide through relationships with other attorneys. All consultations are strictly confidential and there are no fees unless and until there is a recovery.