By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews

PIERCETON — A Pierceton Woods Academy sexual assault civil suit has been dismissed with prejudice.

The suit against Pierceton Woods Academy and several of its staff was filed in October 2020 by Kevin Joseph, the father of a juvenile who was allegedly groomed by Darby Ellis Perry, a former employee at the school.

Ellis Perry was accused of grooming the juvenile during the second half of 2019. Court documents stated Ellis Perry engaged in several inappropriate acts with the juvenile and other residents, including falsifying drug tests, encouraging “dirty talk” and drug usage, as well as kissing and sexual conduct. The juvenile, who was the plaintiff in this case, was coerced to engage in several of these activities against their will.

The suit also alleged Ellis Perry was the subject of a criminal investigation involving sexual assault against a resident and that academy staff were aware of accusations prior to 2017 and did not take action.

Additional defendants in this case were Brian Perry, an employee who was formerly in a relationship with Ellis Perry; Lasting Change Inc. and Lifeline Youth and Family Services, both doing business as Pierceton Woods Academy; Joseph Gough, vice-president of residential services for Lasting Change/Lifeline; and Mark Terrell, CEO of Lasting Change/Lifeline.

On Feb. 15, Travis McConnell, Joseph’s attorney; and attorneys for all of the defendants, filed a stipulation of dismissal with prejudice. Court documents state “the claims between Plaintiff and Defendants have been amicably resolved and should be dismissed with prejudice, each party to bear their own fees and costs.”

The case was then dismissed by Kosciusko Circuit Court Judge Michael Reed.