Lawsuit response: Alleged JHS stairwell rapist had no history of sexual misconduct

In a response to a lawsuit filed in Jasper County Circuit Court by a former Joplin High School student who said she was raped, district officials admit they were told about the incident, but they are "without sufficient information at the current time to admit or deny the allegation."

The response also included a denial that the male student who allegedly raped the girl "had engaged in prior sexual misconduct involving female students."

The response, submitted by Joplin attorney Karl Blanchard, also included multiple notations that the district has "specific policies prohibiting harassment of any kind and has procedures in place for staff and students to report harassment."

The plaintiff, referred to as "Jane Doe" in her lawsuit, claims she was raped in a stairwell at Joplin High School and says district officials provided little help in dealing with the assault.

In the lawsuit, Jane Doe says she was told by the Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney's office that
nine incidents of sexual minconduct or assault had taken place in the Joplin R-8 School District since 2010.

District officials deny that allegation.

According to the petition, the assault took place February 24, 2016. Jane Doe's stepmother took her to Freeman Hospital for a sexual assault examination and reported the assault to the Joplin Police Department and to district officials.

The single count of the action charges the school district with "harassment and denial of public accommodations."

Jane Doe filed a charge of discrimination with the Missouri Commission on Human Rights on May 17, 2016. The Commission issued a right to sue notice.

Jane Doe's atrorney, Dan Curry of the Brown & Curry firm in Kansas City, is asking for compensatory damages, punitive damages, costs, and attorney fees.