Lawsuit: Md. man filmed child porn at school, principal was warned but 'took no action'
PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, Md. — A lawsuit has been filed in the case of Deonte Carraway, the school employee from Judge Sylvania Woods who was charged with making child porn. The principal of the school is also named as a defendant.
The lawsuit, filed by Joseph, Greenwald & Laake, P.A., on behalf of a 9-year-old and the child's guardian (referred to as John Doe and Jane Doe), alleges that Michelle Williams, the principal at Judge Sylvania Woods Elementary School, "took no action" despite concerns being raised about Carraway by parents and teachers.
Williams has been placed on paid administrative leave. Williams is also being questioned by a Prince George's County Public School internal employee review body.
"Parents and teachers at Sylvania Woods Elementary School had expressed concern and/or raised issues about Carraway's predatory behavior to Principal Michelle Williams, but she took no action," The lawsuit states ."Principal Williams refused to take any action because she claimed the teachers had 'no proof' of Carraway's actions."
The lawsuit alleges that the filming occurred in a number of school locations during school hours, including the auditorium and the bathrooms.
"Carraway used his position as a teacher's assistant to sexually assault and prey on students at Sylvania Woods Elementary School," The lawsuit reads. "Carraway's status as a teacher's assistant also permitted him to remove students from class and escort them to various locations within the school building, which made possible this sexual abuse and exploitation."
ABC7's Brad Bell also reports that authorities are looking at as many as 55 possible victims. That number could end up being less or more as the case evolves.
We'll have the latest on this story on ABC7 as it develops.
