BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – The parents of an elementary school student in Bellingham are suing the district over their alleged failure to stop another student who sexually assaulted their son.

The lawsuit claims that the autistic 10-year-old Wade King Elementary student was repeatedly sexually assaulted by a 9-year-old male student while on their school bus in spring 2023.

The suit alleges that the assaults of their son came after the 9-year-old had been accused of similar assaults against two other boys. The district’s response following the first incident was to have the bus driver pick a few older students to sit next to the 9-year-old, but he still assaulted another boy,

The parents allege in the suit that the district did not take any other action and the alleged offender then targeted their son. Other children who rode the bus confirmed the victim’s allegations and the district’s own Title 9 investigator determined them to be credible.

The parents are seeking general and special damages along with other compensation for the “significant emotional and psychological damage” they say their son has suffered.

BPS Superintendent Greg Baker said in a statement that the district takes its duty to protect and care for its students seriously and is committed to standing with victims of any type of sexual misconduct. The district is not commenting further about this case, citing student privacy laws and the pending litigation.

If you or someone you know is a victim of sexual violence, call 800-656-HOPE (4673) to reach the National Sexual Assault Hotline.