A federal lawsuit was filed on Tuesday against multiple entities, following a sexual assault on a Taylorville Student in 2024. Ashley and Chadd Peden of Stonington have filed a federal lawsuit with Disparti Law Group against Taylorville School District and Durham School Services concerning a sexual assault that happened in January 2024.
The case stems from the Peden’s then 10-year-old daughter, who was a victim of sexual assault by a 14-year-old both on the school bus and on her walk home. Cass Casper, attorney for Disparti Law Group, detailed the assaults that occurred and says that while this lawsuit may not make things right, policy needs to be changed.
The lawsuit was filed after a Title 9 investigation that the district undertook. Casper says the school district was more concerned with absolving themselves of responsibility than preventing future incidents from occurring or answering questions that the Peden’s had regarding the assault.
The family is urging anyone who has information or details about the incident to give Disparti Law Offices a call.
Next up for the federal lawsuit, the case will be set for a court hearing and processed through the district court. Disparti Law Group and the Peden’s have filed four counts: Title IX, Deprivation of Substantive Due Process Right to Bodily Integrity (14th Amendment), Willful and Wanton Negligence, and Negligent Infliction of Emotional Distress.
State Senator Steve McClure attended the press conference and spoke to the media as a concerned citizen. Senator McClure says above all else, the Peden family has expressed their desire for statewide legislation and prevention. He has also noted that since this case has come forward, several similar cases have been filed across the state.
Regional Radio News has reached out to Durham’s School Services. A representative from Durham’s says they are unable to comment on any active litigation. Taylorville School District has yet to respond to our request for comment.
To listen to the full press conference, see below.
If you have any information regarding this case, please contact Disparti Law Group at 312-506-5511. Regional Radio News interviewed Ashley Peden in August of 2024. To read that story, click here. To read about Senator McClure’s proposed legislation, click here. Stay tuned to Regional Radio News for all the latest developments in this breaking news story.
To view the lawsuit click here.
