The Tennessee Department of Children's Services has opened a new investigation into rape allegations at Brentwood Academy.
DCS officials said new information received Wednesday led to the investigation. This all came after a $30 million lawsuit was filed against the school.
Family Sues Brentwood Academy For $30 Million
Allegations in the suit said, a sixth grade student was sexually assaulted by an eighth grader in a locker room while others held him down back in the 2014-2015 school year.
Attorney Roland Mumford said those four kids assaulted other children at Brentwood Academy before the sexual assault of the 12-year-old boy. Mumford says he and the boy's family believes or is confident that the parents of the four kids knew about the other harassment and assault. Mumford says if the parents didn't know, then the school was negligent in not informing them.
The lawsuit filed earlier this month spells out those allegations of extreme bullying on other students, detailing one student placed into a trash can, another student urinating on a student's shoe, and defecating on another student's shoe.
"If they failed to take proper action in disciplining their children, to stop the harassment and assault of children of Brentwood Academy, that would have prevented the acts committed on my client," Mumford said.
Mumford says since news of the lawsuit broke last week, he's been hearing from more parents concerned that Brentwood Academy may have covered up other incidents.
"I can't count how many people continue the theme of, 'Brentwood Academy: protecting student athletes.' It's a football factory, it's a student athlete factory, and they will do anything to protect their students, and cover up acts, numerous acts.
Thursday, the Department of Children's Services confirmed they've opened up a new investigation at Brentwood Academy based on new information, but they couldn't detail what that new information is.
Thursday night, Brentwood Academy released this statement in response:
"As the Brentwood Police Department clearly stated yesterday, Brentwood Academy is not the subject of their investigation. We cannot comment on speculation or innuendo. Any student or faculty member who believes he or she has been the victim of sexual harassment or misconduct is encouraged to report and discuss the alleged acts immediately and confidentially. When the school is notified of an allegation of sexual harassment or intimidation, it immediately investigates the claims. If the claims are accurate, disciplinary action is taken. If individuals have experienced serious misconduct, we encourage them to contact the proper authorities."
