Sexual Abuse Allegations at The Morristown-Beard School
Morris County, New Jersey
Founded:1891
Location: Morristown, New Jersey
Grades: 6 through 12
Originally founded from two seperate schools, Morristown Beard School was established in 1891 as a coeducational private school. The two single-sex schools were named Beard School for Girls and Morristown School for Boys. The campus now has two academic units: Upper School (9-12) and a Middle School (6-8). It is home to a student population of approximately 600 students each year.
In January 2016, the parents of a teenage student alleged that a former teacher from the Morristown Beard School had an inappropriate relationship with their daughter while he was teaching at the school. The ex-teacher, Edward Sherman, was accused of starting the sexual relationship while the victim was in her senior year at the prep school and still a minor. Despite reports of the inappropriate encounters between the two, the school allegedly failed to report the incidents to the Division of Child Protection and Permanency as required by law. Sherman was even allowed to chaperone the girls’ senior trip to Greece together, according to media reports.
The victim’s parents sued the school for negligence for failing to take action against Sherman or to protect its student despite multiple reports. However, the case was dismissed purportedly because the victim failed to cooperate with the case. Despite being a minor at the time the abuse started, she has since turned 18 which means here parents can no longer maintain a lawsuit of her behalf.
According to Sherman’s lawyer, Sherman and the girl have fled to Israel since the allegations became public.
Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse in New Jersey. If you need a lawyer because you were sexually abused in New Jersey, contact our office today. Although many years have passed, those sexually abused by teachers, coaches, and administrators in New Jersey private schools now have legal options to get justice and compensation, but filing deadlines will apply so do not delay in reaching out to us. Our law firm offers free consultations and always works on a contingency basis.
Contact us at (954) 641-2100 or [email protected] to discuss your case today.