Brunswick County superintendent responds to third lawsuit

BRUNSWICK COUNTY — The Brunswick County superintendent is responding to a third lawsuit filed against the school system.

Earlier this week parents of a former South Brunswick High student filed a lawsuit against the school system after their son was sexually molested by a janitor.

Brunswick County Superintendent Katie McGee says she has taken important steps in protecting students at Brunswick County schools. She released this statement Friday regarding the lawsuit, saying: “I hired a professional experienced in ethics issues to train the principals and assistant principals on identifying and preventing inappropriate or potentially inappropriate relationships between employees and students.”

The lawsuit against the Brunswick County school system alleges faculty at South Brunswick High allowed the victim to be excused from class to engage in sexual molestation with 74-year-old janitor Collis Hewett.

The lawsuit also alleges the boy’s parents had no knowledge their son was being excused from class or that he was being molested over the course of two years. They say the school board tried to cover up the sexual assaults.

The lawsuit also alleges the janitor was not terminated but was allowed to retire with benefits. He’s pleaded guilty to seven counts of sexual offenses with a student and six counts of indecent liberties with a child. He’s currently awaiting sentencing.