Parents file federal lawsuit in Perry student molestation case

PERRY - The parents of 15 girls who said they were molested by a teacher's aide are suing Perry school officials for damages.

A federal lawsuit filed Friday in Oklahoma City accuses Perry Public Schools and the district's Board of Education of showing "deliberate indifference" by failing to remove or report the aide after he was accused of sexual misconduct.

The lawsuit alleges school officials failed to provide a safe learning environment for students and violated federal protections by "ignoring" numerous allegations made against Arnold Cowen and not immediately removing him from Upper Elementary School after "receiving notice of his misconduct."

Cowen, 86, is awaiting trial. He is facing 21 felony counts, including 19 counts of lewd or indecent acts to a child and one count of aggravated possession of child pornography. Police found more than 100 pornographic images and videos on his home computer.

twillert@oklahoman.com

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