WEST HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — A mother has filed a lawsuit against Solomon Schechter Day School in West Hartford, claiming a former teacher’s alleged tickling and harmful touching led to lapses in all five of her children’s education, opportunity and community support.
The children also all suffer from the same life-threatening medical condition, which is “exacerbated by stress and emotions,” according to the lawsuit.
Throughout this year, Nicholas Ricciardi, 47, of Manchester has been charged with multiple counts of risk of injury to a child and second-degree breach of peace in relation to his time as a teacher.
The lawsuit- which was filed two weeks ago in state Superior Court- also names the head of school Rabbi Jonathan Berger and director of teaching and learning Sarah Montag as defendants.
It claims the school failed to perform a proper background check on Ricciardi- who they say had a history of inappropriate behavior with students- and failed to protect the victim from his alleged abuse.
According to the lawsuit, it was a year ago that one of the woman’s children said their sibling’s teacher was a “pervert” they had seen touching the alleged victim below the belly button.
Through the fall, the lawsuit claims Ricciardi tickled the 6-year-old student and touched them with “forceful, painful, sharp and claw-like motions.”
As a result, the mother says her child developed depression, emotional and mental trauma, loss of happiness, physical pain, fear of being touched, and separation anxiety. She said all may be permanent effects.
The siblings did not return to the day school, and due to their complex medical histories and need for special equipment and medications, they were unable to fine another school until early this year, resulting in a suffering of “loss of education, opportunity, community, and religious support,” the lawsuit states.
Ricciardi has pleaded not guilty to some of the charges so far, according to court records. He’s due back in court on Oct. 14.
He is not named as a defendant on the lawsuit.
Berger said that the allegations are unfounded and that they cannot comment further due to the pending lawsuit.