Levin Papantonio Files Lawsuit Against Santa Rosa County School Board for Negligence Leading to Student Assault at Gulf Breeze High School

Levin Papantonio, a nationally recognized leader in civil litigation, has filed a lawsuit against the Santa Rosa School Board, alleging that the district’s negligence directly led to the assault of a minor student, “S.A.C.,” in the boys’ locker room on the Gulf Breeze High School campus. The assault occurred on March 14, 2024.

According to the complaint, school administrators ignored multiple red flags and failed to implement basic safety measures, creating an environment where the assault occurred. The lawsuit claims the district’s inaction violated its duty of care and left S.A.C. exposed to foreseeable harm.

“Schools have a responsibility to protect the children entrusted to them every day,” said Attorney Rachael Gilmer, partner at Levin Papantonio. “In this case, the district’s failures had devastating consequences for our client and her family. This lawsuit seeks justice, accountability, and long-overdue change.”

The lawsuit details inaction by school officials, including failing to provide adequate supervision of the girls in the Gulf Breeze High School 6th period gym class in the 2023-2024 school year.

A Star Athlete, an Unsupervised Class, and a Sexual Assault

“K.T.R.,” a minor, was a varsity athlete at Gulf Breeze High School, with pending college offers and a different set of rules from the rest of the school.

At Gulf Breeze High School, K.T.R. had a propensity to wander the school during class, often being found in the school’s gym area when he was not scheduled to be there. While the customary discipline for being late to class and/or missing a class altogether is detention, K.T.R.’s tardies and absences were often overlooked. When he was given detention, he didn’t always show up, but there was no further repercussion.The lack of consequences created an environment in which K.T.R. felt the rules didn’t apply to him, and he was right.

S.A.C. was a member of the Gulf Breeze High School girls’ basketball team.

During the 2023-2024 school year, S.A.C. and the other players on the girls’ basketball team were enrolled in a 6th-period weightlifting class. However, as basketball season approached, the girls were instructed not to participate in the class. The girls were left with minimal to no supervision, and when the parents found out, they complained to the school’s administration. Even after the situation was brought to the attention of the assistant principal, the class continued with inconsistent oversight.

On the date in question, March 14, 2024, a coach who did not normally supervise the girls’ class was left in charge. He failed to get enough basketballs out for the girls to practice, so S.A.C. volunteered to grab a few additional balls.

Despite the presence of storage closets that were accessible from the open gym, Gulf Breeze High stored the basketballs in the boys’ locker room. The girls regularly had to enter the locker room to get practice balls and were instructed to knock loudly and announce their presence upon entering. Boys weren’t supposed to be in the locker room during this time as class was in session, but soon after S.A.C. announced that she was entering the room, K.T.R. approached from another area of the room and began harassing her.

According to the complaint, “K.T.R. attempted to kiss [S.A.C.], grabbed her buttocks, pulled her towards his body, exposed his penis to her, pressed his exposed penis against her, and held her against her will.”

S.A.C. broke away and returned to the gym visibly upset. She and another teammate quickly left the gym to report the incident to school officials, who took a written statement but did not question K.T.R. about what happened.

S.A.C. texted her mother from school about the incident. Her mom notified the police, who promptly arrived at the school to start a criminal investigation.

According to the complaint, “No school official took any action to protect S.A.C. and other students on March 14, 2024, or thereafter (should she have returned to Gulf Breeze High School) from the offender, in violation of the Santa Rosa County Public Schools Code of Student Conduct.”

“As a parent, I trusted the school to keep my child safe. Instead, that trust was broken in the worst possible way,” said Renee Hayes, parent and guardian of S.A.C. “No parent should ever have to get the text I did or see their child go through the pain and fear my child has endured. We’re bringing this lawsuit because the school must be held accountable—not just for what happened to our family, but to make sure no other child or parent has to live this nightmare.” 

The Consequences: Mental and Psychological Injuries

As a result of the school’s inaction, S.A.C. now attends private school and receives counseling for her mental health.

As the complaint states, S.A.C. “was caused to suffer humiliation, embarrassment, mental distress, mental anguish, psychological injuries, and other directly and indirectly related damages, and Plaintiff S.A.C., a minor, will suffer such losses in the future.”

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of S.A.C., a minor, by and through her parent and guardian, Renee Hayes, in the Circuit Court of the First Judicial Circuit in and for Santa Rosa County, Florida. Plaintiffs are demanding a jury trial.

“This is not just about one child—this is about every student who deserves a safe learning environment,” Gilmer said. “We will not stop until this district is held accountable and meaningful reforms are put in place.”

School Administrators Created a Perfect Environment for Assault

Several factors came together to create an environment at Gulf Breeze High School and the school gym, in particular, that enabled the sexual assault of S.A.C.  

• Students like K.T.R. knew there was not regular or adequate supervision.
• Students like K.T.R. knew the same rules did not apply to them as star athletes.
• Vulnerable female students like S.A.C. were put in compromising situations when they had to enter the boys locker room to get the equipment they needed to participate in class.

This was the environment that facilitated K.T.R.’s sexual assault of S.A.C., “which is exactly what happened on March 14, 2024,” according to the amended complaint filed today in this civil action.