GOSHEN – The Minisink Valley Central School District (MVCSD) is being sued by a former student who claims she was raped by a security guard at Minisink Valley High School (MVHS) while she was a student. The lawsuit was originally filed in 2020.
The former security guard, Bruce Etheridge, was convicted of rape and sent to prison in 2006, and paroled in 2008. Etheridge was 32 years old in 2004 when he spent the night at a hotel with his then 16-year-old victim.
The victim, represented by Francis Young of White Plains was brought under the Child Victims Act. It alleges that the district was made aware of inappropriate behavior by the security guard but failed to address it. Other parents had complained to district officials that Etheridge had solicited their children during online chats and the district failed to investigate the complaints.
Earlier this month, the MVCSD filed a third-party lawsuit against Ehteridge. The district is seeking to hold Etheridge liable for a portion of the damages if they lose the suit brought by the victim.
Mr. Young told Mid-Hudson News that the case is challenging because of the amount of time that has passed since the original incident occurred. He noted that many of the witnesses that worked for the district have since retired and former classmates have moved on, making it difficult to locate the individuals. The attorney indicated that he is using a variety of methods to locate witnesses and is asking anyone with information to contact his law firm.
The school district issued a statement regarding the suit. “The district is aware of the recently filed lawsuit under the Child Victims Act. However, due to strict privacy laws, the district cannot and does not comment on issues involving current or former students or staff; nor does it comment on cases in litigation.”
