Father alleges daughter sexually assaulted during supervised visit

A father alleges his minor daughter was sexually assaulted by her mother while on a supervised visit by a non-profit organization.

The father, identified only as John Doe, filed a lawsuit Dec. 23, 2014, in St. Clair County Circuit Court against the Children First Foundation, citing negligence.

According to the complaint, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services conducted an investigation on his daughter's mother based on reports of sexual abuse. Following the inquiry, the Madison County Circuit Court ordered that staff members of the Madison County Kids' Corner supervise all visits between the girl and her mother, identified as E.W., the complaint states.

Children's First Foundation accompanied Doe's daughter on a supervised visit with her mother Aug. 10, 2014, the suit states. During the visit, E.W. took her daughter to the bathroom, even though she had been using the restroom by herself for years and did not require assistance, the complaint says. CFF staff did not accompany E.W. to the restroom, Doe alleges.

"While E.W. and Little Girl Doe were together but otherwise alone in the bathroom without CFF supervision, E.W. touched Little Girl Doe's vagina and told her 'not to tell anyone,'" the suit states.

Because of the incident, Doe's daughter suffered emotional trauma and distress, requiring her to obtain counseling, the complaint says.

He seeks compensatory damages of no less than $100,000, plus costs.

Attorneys Bradley A. Winter and Douglas J. Winters, of Sher Corwin Winters in St. Louis, and Robert W. Schmieder II and Mark L. Brown of SL Chapman in St. Louis, will represent John Doe.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 14-L-817.