DELAWARE SCHOOLS SEXUAL ABUSE LAWSUITS

Fighting for Survivors of Student Sexual Abuse in Delaware Schools

Sexual abuse allegations in Delaware schools have led to lawsuits and investigations, highlighting the need for accountability and justice for survivors. If you or a loved one has been harmed at a Delaware school, contact us today.

Sex Abuse Scandals in Delaware Schools

Examples of alleged abuse, and of conditions likely to lead to abuse within Delaware schools, include the following:

Kirk Middle School

• In October 2025, it was reported that David L. Di Filippo, a former teacher at Kirk Middle School, was charged with sexually soliciting a 13-year-old student over several months.  Di Filippo also allegedly groomed another student at a different school and began a sexual relationship with her when she was 17.

Anna P. Mote Elementary School

• In August 2025, Vincent Buckwash, a former teacher at Anna P. Mote Elementary School in Wilmington, Delaware was charged with sex crimes for allegedly inappropriately touching five students on multiple occasions during the 2023-2024 school year. 

Stanton Middle School

• In May 2025, it was reported that Tasha Oliver, a former teacher at Stanton Middle School in Wilmington, Delaware, pled guilty to sexually abusing a female student from 2010 to 2014. Oliver later held positions at other middle schools within the district, including at A.I. du Pont Middle School in 2020.

• In May 2023, Reed Messer, a former teacher at Stanton Middle School, was charged with multiple counts of rape and sexual abuse of a student. Messer allegedly had a sexual relationship with the victim beginning in October 2014.

George Read Middle School

• In March 2025, Ricardo Vila, a physical education teacher at George Read Middle School in New Castle, Delaware, was arrested and charged with multiple felonies related to the sexual abuse of an 8th-grade student. Vila allegedly exchanged sexually explicit texts and messages with the victim.

St. Thomas the Apostle School

• In March 2025, John Taggart, a retired priest, and Christopher Crisona, a former teacher, were charged with sex abuse crimes for allegedly abusing the same student at St. Thomas the Apostle School in Wilmington, Delaware. Taggart worked at the school from 1987 to 1998 and later served at St. Helena’s in Wilmington. Crisona taught at the school during the 1994-1995 school year. He later worked at several other schools in Wilmington, including St. Matthew’s and Corpus Christi in 1999 and St. Hedwig’s in 2000. 

Seaford High School

• March 2023, Jerry Sodano, a former athletic trainer at Seaford High School in Delaware, was charged with sex crimes related to the alleged sexual abuse of a 17-year-old student.  Sodano allegedly engaged in an illegal sexual relationship with the victim between August 2016 and January 2017.

Fairwinds Christian School

• In May 2015, the Delaware Supreme Court ruled that a former student of Fairwinds Christian School in Bear, Delaware, could proceed with a civil lawsuit alleging the school failed to protect her from sexual abuse by her teacher and foster father, Ed Sterling.  Sterling allegedly sexually abused the victim from the age of 13 to 20.  Sterling’s wife, who also worked at the school, allegedly knew about the abuse but did not report it.

Catholic Diocese of Wilmington

• In February 2011, the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington reached a $77 million settlement with nearly 150 individuals who were allegedly sexually abused by priests in Delaware schools and parishes. In December 2010, a Delaware jury awarded $30 million to a victim in a lawsuit against Francis DeLuca, a former priest and teacher at St. Elizabeth’s parish in Wilmington, who allegedly abused him repeatedly in the 1960s.

Saint Edmond’s Academy

• In December 2011, a $7 million settlement was reached involving 14 men who alleged they were sexually abused as children at Saint Edmond’s Academy in Wilmington, Delaware in the late 1970s and early 1980s.  Nine of the victims accused former Capuchin Friar Paul Daleo of abuse. Five others alleged abuse by John Fleming, a former lay teacher and wrestling coach at the school.

LK is Investigating Sexual Abuse Claims in Delaware Schools

Levy Konigsberg is investigating cases of sexual abuse and assault that occurred at Delaware Schools. 

You may have a potential claim if you were sexually abused in these or any Delaware schools:

• Kirk Middle School
• Anna P. Mote Elementary School
• Stanton Middle School
• George Read Middle School
• St. Thomas the Apostle School
• Seaford High School
• Fairwinds Christian School
• Catholic Diocese of Wilmington
• Saint Edmond’s Academy

Do I Have a Case?

You may have grounds to file a civil legal action if:

• You were sexually abused by a teacher or staff at a school.
• The abuse occurred at any school.

Levy Konigsberg represents survivors in civil lawsuits that aim to hold schools accountable for their failures to stop abusive teachers and staff.

As civil claims, these cases are separate from any criminal proceedings that may arise from abuse and focus instead on holding institutions liable for damages. This means you may still have a claim even if:

• Your abuser is no longer alive.
• Your abuser was never charged with or convicted of a crime.

Recoverable Damages in Sexual Abuse Claims

In addition to providing accountability and a sense of justice, civil sex abuse lawsuits allow survivors to recover financial compensation for their damages, which may include:

• Past medical and mental health expenses
• Future mental health expenses, including therapy, medications, etc.
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional anguish and psychological harm
• Lost income
• Other economic and non-economic damages

Delaware Sexual Abuse Statute of Limitations

The Delaware Child Victims Act eliminated the statute of limitations for civil cases related to childhood sexual abuse that occurred after July 9, 2005. This means that if you were abused after this date, you are able to file a civil case at any time.

Determining the statute of limitations that applies to your sexual abuse case against a Delaware school can be challenging, which is why it is best to bring your matter to the attention of an experienced lawyer.

We are committed to protecting the most vulnerable members of our society and seeking justice for survivors of sexual abuse in schools. Our experienced team is dedicated to providing legal representation and support to survivors, and we are actively investigating allegations of abuse. We are working tirelessly to ensure that survivors have access to justice and that future generations of young people are safe from harm within these institutions.