The Strom Law Firm has filed a lawsuit on behalf of the family of a young student who was allegedly sexually assaulted by former teacher Sulaymaan Benoit at Green Charter School of the Midlands. The case centers on disturbing allegations involving multiple children—some as young as seven years old—and a school administration that failed to protect the very students entrusted to their care.
Benoit, 33, was charged for the third time this year in October with criminal sexual conduct with a minor. According to investigators, the assaults occurred during an after-school program Benoit led, where he repeatedly had access to young students with minimal oversight. Several families have now come forward, each alleging that their child was victimized by Benoit on multiple occasions.
A Pattern of Negligence and Inaction
In the lawsuit filed this week, Strom Law Firm attorneys assert that the school and district ignored complaints and red flags that should have prompted immediate action. Instead of removing Benoit or launching an appropriate investigation, the school allegedly continued to allow him access to vulnerable children.
Attorney Bakari Sellers, a prominent civil rights lawyer with the Strom Law Firm, emphasized that the trauma inflicted on these young students was made possible not only by Benoit’s actions, but by institutional failures.
“Sulaymaan Benoit was the monster who assaulted this survivor,” said Sellers. “But it was Green Charter School of the Midlands whose neglect and failure enabled him. They should have been protecting their students. Instead, they sheltered this abuser — and it’s time to hold them accountable.”
These allegations are not isolated to Benoit alone. In February, school principal Tina Shaw was charged with failure to report child abuse and two counts of assault and battery. Investigators say Shaw failed to notify authorities regarding complaints about Benoit and conducted improper searches on two students. These charges paint a troubling picture of systemic breakdowns within the school’s leadership.
Standing Up for Survivors and Their Families
The families represented in the lawsuit range in age from 7 to 11 years old — a fact that underscores both the vulnerability of the victims and the responsibility of the adults and institutions charged with safeguarding them. Sellers stated that while nothing can undo the trauma these children have endured, legal action is a critical step in the healing process.
“Nothing can make up for what my client and her family have had to live through and the nightmares they will carry for the rest of their lives,” Sellers said. “But today’s charges and lawsuit are important steps toward justice and healing — even though they are only the first.”
At Strom Law Firm, we believe that every child deserves a safe learning environment, free from abuse, neglect, and exploitation. When a school fails to uphold that basic duty, and when leadership disregards credible complaints that could have prevented harm, they must be held accountable.
Our Commitment
The Strom Law Firm, and particularly our civil rights team led by Bakari Sellers, is committed to ensuring that survivors and their families receive the justice and support they deserve. We will continue to advocate on their behalf and pursue accountability from individuals and institutions whose failures contributed to these horrific events.
This case is a stark reminder of the importance of reporting, oversight, and transparency in schools. More importantly, it is a reminder that when those systems fail, the legal system becomes a vital avenue for protecting children and demanding meaningful change.
If your family has experienced abuse, neglect, or misconduct within a school or youth program, our team is prepared to help. Survivors should not suffer in silence — and no institution is above accountability.