Trendpills
The Celina Independent School District (ISD) is embroiled in a growing scandal involving a former middle school coach, Caleb Elliott, who faces multiple felony charges, including invasive visual recording and possession of child pornography. The case has expanded significantly, with the number of identified student victims rising to nearly 40 as the Celina Police Department continues its investigation.
In response, multiple families have filed civil lawsuits against the district, claiming officials were not only negligent but actively concealed Elliott's history of predatory behavior. One lawsuit alleges that Celina ISD was aware of previous misconduct, including an "improper" relationship with a high school student, which resulted in Elliott being moved to a middle school instead of being terminated. Attorneys for the victims state the district also failed to take decisive action after Elliott previously attempted to place cameras in a boys' locker room. These lawsuits name several top officials, including Superintendent Tom Maglisceau and the school principal, as defendants.
Attorneys representing the families, including State Rep. Mitch Little, have announced their intention to pursue further legal action, arguing that the school district protected the former coach by shuffling him between campuses rather than addressing the threat he posed to students. The scandal has also implicated Elliott's father, Bill Elliott, the district's long-serving athletic director and head football coach. Following intense public pressure and calls for transparency, the district placed Bill Elliott on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of ongoing internal and external investigations.
Caleb Elliott was arrested after turning himself in to Collin County authorities. The lawsuits contend that the school district's systemic failures enabled the alleged abuse to continue over an extended period. At least one lawsuit alleges that a minimum of 30 victims have been identified, highlighting the severe breach of trust and the district's failure to ensure student safety. As the legal proceedings unfold, the community is grappling with the revelations and the allegations that the district hid the coach's history of misconduct, putting its reputation and leadership under intense scrutiny.
