Parents of girl allegedly molested on bus sue Olympia district
The parents of a 6-year-old girl who allegedly was molested by a former Olympia School District bus driver sued the district Tuesday.
The lawsuit filed by Tacoma attorney Darrell Cochran alleges that the district “breached its duty and was negligent in the supervision and the protection over its students during school hours.”
Gary Shafer, 32, of Port Orchard, has pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree child molestation for allegedly sexually assaulting two girls on a bus in December, while acting as a helper on a route for Centennial Middle School. Shafer was being held Tuesday at the Thurston County Jail with bail set at $50,000.
The district “failed to keep students safe” by allowing Shafer “to have unfettered access to young, vulnerable children as he rode on a school bus in no official capacity other than as a self-appointed helper,” the lawsuit states. It also alleges that school district employees “observed episodes of inappropriate behavior towards (the girl) but failed to take appropriate action.”
Olympia School District spokesman Peter Rex could not be reached for comment. Rex has said in prior interviews that he cannot comment on pending litigation.
Shafer had worked for the school district since October 2005 and had driven several routes. He was placed on administrative leave during the first week of January, when the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office contacted the district about the allegations. Shafer resigned Jan. 19.
Shafer’s most recent bus assignment was route 41, which serves Reeves Middle and Hansen Elementary schools. Last week, Cochran filed a separate lawsuit alleging that the district is violating the Public Records Act by witholding documents related to its investigation of Shafer.
Cochran said he is still waiting for the documents, adding that he wants to know more about Shafer’s role as a helper when the alleged molestation occurred. As a helper, Shafer was supposed to be learning the route to act as a substitute for the Centennial Middle School driver.
Cochran said he wants to know what the driver saw and whether he tried to stop Shafer from letting children sit on his lap.
The driver “has got some explaining to do,” Cochran said.
In a tort claim notice, Cochran stated that he intends to ask the district to pay his clients $2.25 million, but the lawsuit filed Tuesday does not name a specific figure.
Jeremy Pawloski: 360-754-5465 jpawloski@theolympian.com
