By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews

PIERCETON — Multiple defendants in a Pierceton Woods Academy sexual assault civil suit have been denied their joint motion to dismiss complaints filed against them.

Kevin Joseph, the father of a juvenile who was allegedly assaulted on the campus, filed the suit against Pierceton Woods in October 2020, alleging the organization was aware of staff engaging in inappropriate contact with minors and that a juvenile was sexually assaulted by an employee.

The suit is against Lasting Change Inc. and Lifeline Youth and Family Services, both doing business as Pierceton Woods Academy, as well as four employees.

Brian Perry, an employee who was formerly in a relationship with another employee who allegedly sexually assaulted a Pierceton Woods youth; Joseph Gaugh, vice-president of residential services for Lasting Change/Lifeline Inc.; and Mark Terrell, the CEO of Lasting Change and/or Lifeline Inc., filed a joint motion on Dec. 17, 2020, to dismiss the plaintiff’s complaint.

The parties appeared telephonically by counsel on Jan. 14, at which point the court took matters under advisement.

Kosciusko Circuit Court Judge Michael Reed filed an order on Jan. 25 denying the defendants’ joint mission to dismiss the plaintiffs’ complaint.

Recent articles on the Pierceton Woods Academy civil suit:

• Plaintiffs In Pierceton Woods Suit File Response
• Defendants In Pierceton Woods Civil Suit File Response To Claims
• Defendant In Pierceton Woods Sexual Assault Civil Suit Demands Jury Trial