PHOENIX (AZFamily) — A notice of claim, which is a precursor to a lawsuit, filed this month alleges employees at Orangewood Elementary violated school and district policies before a sexual assault occurred in November.
Prosecutors say Abel Gblah, 25, a registered sex offender for previous child sex crimes, got inside Orangewood Elementary School on Nov. 19 and sexually assaulted a 10-year-old student.
The newly filed 13-page notice of claim outlines what the attorney for the victim’s family says Gblah did once he got into the school.
How the assault unfolded
The filing says it is still unclear exactly how Gblah got into the school, whether he was buzzed in or followed someone.
After he was inside, an employee spotted him and asked whether he was a new employee; he told the staffer he was part of the janitorial or maintenance staff. The claim also alleges multiple other employees were in the hallway with Gblah.
Gblah redirected the 10-year-old girl, who was on her way to the nurse’s office, into an empty classroom. He said he was a doctor and allegedly sexually assaulted her before she was able to fight back and escape.
The notice of claim also says the school was not put on lockdown until after Gblah ran away from the school and that there was a delay by school staff in contacting local law enforcement.
After the incident, the filing says the girl was treated for possible STDs and was diagnosed with PTSD and anxiety.
Karl de la Guerra, an international security consultant, said the initial entry was the most important failure.
“If he wouldn’t have been allowed access into the facility, this would never have occurred,” de la Guerra said.
He said the human factor is the weakest part of any security protocol.
The Washington Elementary School District spokesperson said they cannot comment on litigation matters. The attorney for the victim’s family declined to be interviewed or to provide any additional comment at this time.
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