Lee County School Board sued after student’s sexual assault by teacher’s aide

FORT MYERS, Fla. (WINK) — The Lee County School Board is facing a new civil lawsuit filed by the parents of a student who was sexually assaulted by a teacher’s aide at a local special-needs school.

The legal action follows the 2024 criminal conviction of Lauren King, a former aide at Royal Palms Exceptional Center, who is currently serving an eight-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to the assault of a then-12-year-old student.

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A "Pattern and Practice" of Negligence

The complaint, filed this week in Lee County, paints a disturbing picture of misconduct that allegedly persisted for months. While the criminal case against King has concluded, the family’s attorney, Faudlin Pierre, argues that the district bears civil responsibility for failing to protect a vulnerable child.

“This is just not with my client,” Pierre told WINK Investigates. “This is a pattern and practice of the school board to disregard the safety and the concerns of vulnerable youth.”

The lawsuit alleges that the district had prior knowledge of employees engaging in sexual misconduct with students but failed to implement necessary safeguards. The filing cites three other recent cases within Lee County schools involving similar allegations of staff-on-student misconduct.

WINK Investigates reviewed each case:

Case 1: Jonathan Blikstad (2016–2017)

• Allegations: Blikstad, a Lee County teacher, was accused of kissing a student on the neck in front of other students.
• Outcome: Despite criminal charges being filed and a formal report made to the district, the lawsuit alleges Blikstad was returned to the classroom after a brief suspension. Notably, the victimized student was removed from the class while the teacher remained.
• Impact: This case triggered a civil-rights investigation by the U.S. Department of Education to determine if the district violated federal law by failing to properly respond to sexual harassment.

Case 2: Joseph Reynolds (2023)

• Allegations: A teacher at Diplomat Middle School, Reynolds, was accused of sending explicit photographs of his genitalia to a student and attempting to engage in sexual relations with the minor. He was later hit with additional charges related to the possession and distribution of child pornography.
• Outcome: Following his arrest, a civil lawsuit was filed against the Lee County School District for negligent supervision and retention. The district stated at the time that he was suspended with pay pending investigation, though he faced five criminal counts.
• District Defense: The district maintained that Reynolds had passed a "Level 2" background check, which included FBI and FDLE fingerprinting, at the time of his hire in 2016.

Case 3: Genesis Zayas (2025)

• Allegations: Zayas, a 23-year-old para-professional at Island Coast High School, was arrested and charged with "Offenses Against Students by Authority Figures". She allegedly used Snapchat to flirt with and exchange nude images with at least two different male students.
• Outcome: Zayas resigned from her position following her arrest. The investigation revealed a "pattern of grooming behavior" involving multiple victims, which the current lawsuit cites as evidence that the district was on notice of recurring dangers.

“Had they heeded some of the prior incidents, I believe that my clients wouldn't have had to undergo this tragic event,” Pierre said.

For the family, the trauma remains a daily reality. During King’s sentencing in 2024, the victim’s father shared the emotional burden the family had carried since the assault.

“I have to take him to counseling two to three times a week,” the father said at the time. “It’s disheartening, it’s sad, it’s hurtful.”

WINK Investigates has chosen not to identify the family to protect the privacy and rights of the child.

District Response

When reached for comment regarding the allegations and the claims of systemic failure, the School District of Lee County declined to address the specifics of the suit.

“It is inappropriate for the school district to comment on pending litigation,” said Rob Spicker, the district’s Director of Communications.

The School Board has not yet formally responded to the complaint in court. Under Florida law, there are strict caps on the amount of money a family can recover from a municipal agency. Attorney Pierre noted that the family is seeking the maximum allowable damages of $200,000.

“I think as lawyers we need to advocate for those that can’t advocate for themselves,” Pierre said.

WINK News will continue to monitor the progress of this lawsuit and provide updates as the case moves through the court system.