Professional Negligence Law Reporter

Doe, 8, was a student at St. Louise Parish School, a private school owned and controlled by the Seattle Archdiocese. The archdiocese hired Roe to work at St. Louise Parish. He allegedly took a liking to Doe, complimenting her appearance, showing her extra attention, and giving her candy. Roe then allegedly took Doe to isolated areas on school grounds and “taught her how to kiss.” Roe told Doe that it was normal for adults and children to kiss and that he would reward her with candy if she kept their kissing lessons a secret. Roe’s alleged advances became more aggressive and progressed to sexual molestation.

When she was an adult, Doe sued the Seattle Catholic Archdiocese, alleging gross negligence, sexual discrimination, negligent infliction of emotional distress, and outrage. Doe argued that Roe’s actions were foreseeable and preventable and that the defendant should have removed him for his sexually deviant conduct.

The parties settled for $725,000.

Citation: Doe v. St. Louise Parish Sch., No. 21-2-05377-3 SEA (Wash. Super. Ct. King Cty. Dec. 8, 2021).

Plaintiff counsel: AAJ members Darrell Cochran, Patrick Brown, and Kevin Hastings, all of Tacoma, Wash.