Student Sues Bridgewater-Raritan Schools Over Alleged Repeated Teacher Sex Assault

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — A former Bridgewater-Raritan Regional High School student has filed a lawsuit against the district claiming her gym teacher sexually groomed her and repeatedly sexually assaulted and abused her over a four-year period.

The student, identified only by the fictitious name of Jane Doe, and her mother filed the lawsuit in Somerset County Superior Court against the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District on Feb. 8.

"This action arises from the repeated sexual assault and abuse of a Bridgewater-Raritan High School student by her gym teacher. The abuse went on for years, with the knowledge of other teachers and staff, who heard complaints about the abuse but chose to do nothing to stop it, instead protecting the abuser," according to the lawsuit.

The Bridgewater-Raritan School District did not respond to Patch for comment on the lawsuit.

The gym teacher accused of the abuse is identified in the lawsuit as L.P. In November 2023, Lydia Pinto, 38, of Newton, Pennsylvania, was charged with first-degree aggravated sexual assault and two counts of second-degree sexual assault of a former student which occurred in Raritan Borough. Read More: Bridgewater-Raritan Teacher, Coach Arrested For Sex Assault Of Student

Pinto taught health and physical education and was one of the driver’s ed instructors. Pinto was also the girls’ lacrosse coach.

The lawsuit claims the abuse began when the victim was 14 years old and a high school freshman and continued into the student’s senior year "without the school intervening."

"The teacher’s illicit involvement with the student was an 'open secret' at the school. The teacher was regularly observed talking intimately with the student in the hallway, walking the student to her next class, meeting with her in staff offices, and otherwise spending a disproportionate amount of time with her," according to the lawsuit.

Pinto is also accused of arranging for the student's transfer to her driver's-ed class.

"Not only were there open signs of the student's sexual grooming and abuse – which any properly-trained administrator or teacher should have recognized - but at least four staff members were specifically told of the abuse by another student who reported what was happening. Yet school officials still did nothing to intervene and halt the abuse," according to the lawsuit.

As a result, the lawsuit claims the student sustained "permanent psychological injury, severe emotional distress and anguish, pain and suffering, the loss of her civil rights, and pecuniary loss including medical expenses."

The lawsuit is seeking compensatory damages; punitive damages; interest; costs of suit; and attorneys’ fees.

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