Lawsuit filed by parents of boy, 6, accused of sexual assault

Editor's note: Pardon this Shark's grammar, but didn't we used to spank kids for doing that? What happened to washing out a kids mouth with soap? Charges for sexual assault...really some sick Cheddar Heads.  Lucius Verenus, Schoolmaster, ProbateSharks.com


Lawsuit filed by parents of boy, 6, accused of sexual assault


Associated Press
3:25 PM CST, November 18, 2011

The parents of a 6-year-old boy who was charged with sexual assault have filed a federal lawsuit against the prosecutors.


The lawsuit contends officials in Grant County, Wis., west of Madison, violated the boy's civil rights and those of his parents. It seeks $12 million in damages.

The boy was playing doctor with a 5-year-old girl and her brother last fall when the girl's mother thought the boy had touched the girl indecently, according to the federal lawsuit filed Thursday. The boy was charged in a juvenile court petition with first-degree sexual assault.

The lawsuit contends an investigation into the incident was biased because the girl's father is a well-known political figure in Grant County.

"I think (the boy's) life has been ruined, and I think it's been ruined by reckless conduct by the defendants without any regard for the little boy and his future," said Chicago attorney Christopher Cooper, who is representing the boy and his parents.

The suit says the boy is now 7 and has a developmental disability. He has experienced fear of going to jail, as well as anxiety, depression, sleepless nights, vomiting, crying and missed school time, according to the lawsuit.

The boy was accused in a petition seeking protection or services for the boy. Such petitions are typically used by parents or authorities to identify children younger than 10 who need services to change inappropriate behavior.

In the spring, according to a report in the Wisconsin State Journal, which was granted access to the juvenile records, a judge declined to dismiss the petition, which a criminal attorney for the boy called "crazy."

The girl's mother has told investigators she suspected the boy had put his finger in the girl's anus.

The lawsuit states that, prior to the play date, the boy had medical conditions that required rectal examinations.

Named in the suit are Grant County District Attorney Lisa Riniker, as well as Jan Moravits, a social worker with Grant County Social Services, and Sgt. James Kopp, recently retired from the Grant County Sheriff's Department.

Tomah attorney Richard Radcliffe, who is representing Riniker, Radcliffe and Kopp, did not return a call for comment.

Chief Deputy Jack Johnson of the Grant County Sheriff's Department said he has not seen the lawsuit and declined comment.

Please read complete article at link below:


http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-lawsuit-filed-by-parents-of-boy-6-accused-of-sexual-assault-20111118,0,6903862.story