Jackson County child accuses after-school program of sexual assault 2023

A Jackson County father has filed a lawsuit on behalf of his son, alleging the boy was the victim of sexual abuse that occurred last year during an after-school program in Jackson County.

The child, identified in the lawsuit only as AN, was 7 years old when the alleged abuse occurred in 2023. Through his father, identified in the lawsuit only as JN, the child alleged that an adult man sexually assaulted him during an after-school program he attended.

According to the lawsuit, the child said the man put his hand on his penis and sexually assaulted him. The adult was associated with running an after-school program, and the child was under his supervision when the assault allegedly occurred.

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Father AN’s attorneys stated that as a result of the abuse the child suffered physical, emotional and mental trauma.

The child’s family is seeking at least $75,000 in damages.

The lawsuit was filed June 28. The lawsuit does not name the alleged perpetrator or the extracurricular activity where the alleged abuse occurred.

The lawsuit says the alleged abuser may no longer live in Jackson County, although he did live there when the violence allegedly occurred in 2023.

The unnamed child is represented by Lauren Dollar, a Kansas City attorney with Dollar, Burns, Becker and Hershew. Dollar was previously an assistant prosecutor in the Special Victims Unit of the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office and now specializes in child sexual abuse cases.

Dollar declined to comment on the case Wednesday afternoon, citing urgent legal procedures because the case is being handled on behalf of the victim.

According to RAINN, 1 in 9 girls and 1 in 53 boys will be sexually abused by an adult before the age of 18.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.