A Palm Beach County teacher is now at the center of a federal lawsuit and is accused of sexually assaulting a fourth grade student in a school bathroom. The teacher has been removed from the classroom, but no criminal charges have been filed. This newly filed lawsuit accuses the physical education teacher of twice assaulting a young student in a school bathroom and allegedly threatening her to keep silent. Though school police did investigate, prosecutors ultimately decided not to file charges. Now, the family's federal lawsuit argues that the district should have acted sooner, given the teacher's history.Physical education teacher Dax Rankine was arrested for DUI in 2019. Rankine refused to take a breathalyzer test, and the case was ultimately dismissed. Rankine continued teaching children at Sunset Palms Elementary School. But now Rankine faces a federal lawsuit alleging that, around the same time in the 2019-2020 school year, he sexually assaulted a fourth grade student twice in school bathrooms, warning her never to tell anyone.According to the lawsuit:"Defendant RANKINE told JANIE DOE that she would 'get in trouble' if she did not do as he directed her and/or if she told anyone what had occurred."And she didn't until she confided in her therapist last year that two different times Rankine unlocked a bathroom door, "grabbed JANIE DOE and pushed her back into the stall," where, according to the lawsuit, he raped her.The girl's shocked parents filed police reports against Rankine last November and alerted the school district. School police charged Rankine with sexual battery against a person under 12 and he was put on administrative leave. His case was forwarded to the state attorney's office.Rankine's attorney said Rankine "categorically denies" the charges and Rankine refused to talk to investigators.After reviewing the evidence, prosecutors concluded:"Although there was probable cause to issue a request for an arrest warrant, the evidence cannot prove all legally required elements of the crime alleged and is Insufficient to support a criminal prosecution." The case was closed, and Rankine returned to teaching.That was until this week, when the parents filed the lawsuit against Rankine and the school district, alleging the district knowingly hired him and continued employing him despite an arrest history, including the 2019 arrest, and others, including a charge of leaving the scene of an accident and battery guilty plea. The district has not commented on the lawsuit, but following concerns from parents, Sunset Palms Principal Karen Riddle sent an email Monday alerting them that Rankine was no longer on campus, saying:"An allegation was made last year involving this teacher and a student. I also want you to know that this matter was thoroughly investigated at that time by District officials, law enforcement, and the Florida Department of Children and Families." <F/S 4>The principal said that, as the situation is under investigation, she will not comment further. She did tell investigators that Rankine was a great teacher and had never had any complaints.The district has not commented on the lawsuit.It did send Rankine's personnel file and the investigative file into this incident. Investigative reporter Terri Parker also called Rankine and his lawyer and left messages requesting comments, but has not heard back from them yet.Top headlines:Stay up-to-date: The latest headlines and weather from WPBF 25 Get the latest news updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.
A Palm Beach County teacher is now at the center of a federal lawsuit and is accused of sexually assaulting a fourth grade student in a school bathroom.
The teacher has been removed from the classroom, but no criminal charges have been filed.
This newly filed lawsuit accuses the physical education teacher of twice assaulting a young student in a school bathroom and allegedly threatening her to keep silent.
Though school police did investigate, prosecutors ultimately decided not to file charges.
Now, the family's federal lawsuit argues that the district should have acted sooner, given the teacher's history.
Physical education teacher Dax Rankine was arrested for DUI in 2019.
Rankine refused to take a breathalyzer test, and the case was ultimately dismissed.
Rankine continued teaching children at Sunset Palms Elementary School.
But now Rankine faces a federal lawsuit alleging that, around the same time in the 2019-2020 school year, he sexually assaulted a fourth grade student twice in school bathrooms, warning her never to tell anyone.
According to the lawsuit:
"Defendant RANKINE told JANIE DOE that she would 'get in trouble' if she did not do as he directed her and/or if she told anyone what had occurred."
And she didn't until she confided in her therapist last year that two different times Rankine unlocked a bathroom door, "grabbed JANIE DOE and pushed her back into the stall," where, according to the lawsuit, he raped her.
The girl's shocked parents filed police reports against Rankine last November and alerted the school district.
School police charged Rankine with sexual battery against a person under 12 and he was put on administrative leave. His case was forwarded to the state attorney's office.
Rankine's attorney said Rankine "categorically denies" the charges and Rankine refused to talk to investigators.
After reviewing the evidence, prosecutors concluded:
"Although there was probable cause to issue a request for an arrest warrant, the evidence cannot prove all legally required elements of the crime alleged and is Insufficient to support a criminal prosecution."
The case was closed, and Rankine returned to teaching.
That was until this week, when the parents filed the lawsuit against Rankine and the school district, alleging the district knowingly hired him and continued employing him despite an arrest history, including the 2019 arrest, and others, including a charge of leaving the scene of an accident and battery guilty plea.
The district has not commented on the lawsuit, but following concerns from parents, Sunset Palms Principal Karen Riddle sent an email Monday alerting them that Rankine was no longer on campus, saying:
"An allegation was made last year involving this teacher and a student. I also want you to know that this matter was thoroughly investigated at that time by District officials, law enforcement, and the Florida Department of Children and Families." <F/S 4>
The principal said that, as the situation is under investigation, she will not comment further. She did tell investigators that Rankine was a great teacher and had never had any complaints.
The district has not commented on the lawsuit.
It did send Rankine's personnel file and the investigative file into this incident.
Investigative reporter Terri Parker also called Rankine and his lawyer and left messages requesting comments, but has not heard back from them yet.