FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:Â SALLY HAIMS
April 1, 2019
415-254-5884
shaims@hermanlaw.com                                                     Â
Heartland Christian Academy Under Fire For Sexual Abuse Of A Minor By A Teacher. Academy Officials Admit They Were Aware That Teacher Had Been Fired By Another Educational Institution For Alleged Inappropriate Behavior, Yet No Action Was Taken To Protect Students
New York, NY– Sex abuse attorney Jeff Herman has filed a complaint on behalf of Jane Doe of Heartland Christian Academy. Heartland Christian Academy physical education teacher and coach Jack Charles Howard III was arrested on January 9 on one count of lewd and lascivious behavior against a minor who was between the ages of 12-16 years at the time. Additional charges of four counts of lewd and lascivious behavior and one count of battery were filed on February 7.
Howard was released on bond after his initial arrest on January 9 and then released on February 8 after posting a $105,000 bond following his February 7 arrest on additional charges.
In the Fall of 2018, Howard sexually harassed and assaulted Jane Doe in his classroom. During this time, Howard began selecting Jane and other minor females at the school for “silent lunch.” Silent lunch was purportedly a form of punishment whereby Howard would require students to eat lunch in his classroom with him. However, the physical education teacher used silent lunch to have minor girls in his classroom with him where he was able to privately groom and sexually abuse them.
“Howard’s behavior is textbook grooming,” said sex abuse attorney and children’s advocate, Jeff Herman. “This teacher used his position in power to secretly and systematically abuse minors under his control.”
Howard’s sexually inappropriate and grooming behavior was open and notorious. Heartland Academy officials required Howard to place blue tape on the floor of the entrance of his classroom as a boundary where female students were not allowed to cross. Officials admitted during a parent meeting that they were aware that Howard previously had been fired for inappropriate behavior but falsely claimed that they could not have done anything in response because there were no criminal charges. “Shame on the school for keeping this quiet,” said sex abuse attorney Jeff Herman.
Howard’s sexual harassment, molestation, and abuse of Jane Doe continued during the course of 2018-19 until she reported the allegations of abuse to her mother and the police.
“Heartland Christian Academy failed to protect our client from this teacher’s grooming and sexual abuse. I am determined to help this brave young woman share her story, begin the long path to healing, and seek justice,” said Mr. Herman.
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Herman Law is a law firm for victims of sexual abuse across the nation. The firm is led by its founder Jeff Herman, who is recognized as one of the country’s leading attorneys for child victims of sexual abuse. The firm has obtained over $200 Million in verdicts and settlements. Jeff has developed a national reputation for his powerful advocacy and unwavering dedication to his clients. Herman Law is committed to empowering victims of sexual abuse to take back their lives and begin the healing process.
