Callis
The mother of a teenage girl who allegedly had a sexual relationship with her music teacher has dismissed the Alton school district and its board from the lawsuit.
Her suit remains pending against the O'Fallon School District and music teacher Matthew Lang, currently awaiting sentencing as part of a plea to criminal charges connected with the case. He pleaded guilty to criminal sexual assault in January.
Plaintiff Jane Doe sued on behalf of her daughter, known as Mary Doe in the suit, seeking damages of at least $50,000 and costs.
In an order dated April 12, Madison County Chief Judge Ann Callis allowed Doe to drop from the case Alton Community Unit School District #11 and its board of education with prejudice.
Jane Doe alleged in her suit that Alton failed to properly screen Lang and then to protect her daughter from his advances.
Mary Doe and Lang allegedly had a sexual relationship from February to August 2009. Mary Doe was then 16 and Lang was 36.
Jane Doe also alleges that O'Fallon lied about Lang's previous sexual relationship with a student while he was under its employ. Lang allegedly married that student, Eden Lang.
According to her amended complaint, O'Fallon told Alton officials that there were nothing but minor issues with Lang related to the reputation a former music teacher, that he had trouble "filling the shoes of a previous band director that had, for years, been referred to as 'God' by students."
Jane Doe is represented by Thomas Falb. The Alton defendants are represented by Dennis Weedman. There is no attorney listed for O'Fallon or Lang in the civil case.
Lang is represented by Benjamin Allen in the criminal matter.
The case had been assigned to Madison County Circuit Judge Daniel Stack. It is now assigned to Madison County Chief Judge Ann Callis. It was one of the cases removed from Stack's docket in December 2009 due to his impending retirement this year.
The case is Madison case number 09-L-886.