On October 28, 2025, the law firm Nix Patterson LLP initiated a significant lawsuit under Texas’s newly enacted school sexual abuse accountability law. This lawsuit represents one of the first major tests of the statute, aiming to hold the Celina Independent School District (ISD), a former coach, and several administrators accountable for alleged sexual misconduct against minor students.
The firm is representing the families of three minor students from Jerry and Linda Moore Middle School, who have filed suit in Collin County District Court. The lawsuit accuses former middle school coach William Caleb Elliott and several senior administrators of enabling sexual misconduct through negligence. This legal action is particularly noteworthy as it seeks to hold school administrators personally liable for their role in allegedly covering up the abuse.
According to the complaint, Elliott is accused of a disturbing pattern of sexual misconduct, including invasive visual recording of students in the boys’ locker room. The lawsuit claims that Celina ISD demonstrated gross negligence in hiring, supervising, and retaining Elliott, who previously had a known history of inappropriate conduct.
Brad Beckworth, Managing Partner at Nix Patterson, highlighted the historical context of the case, stating, “For more than half a century, school administrators in Texas operated with near-total immunity. That era is over.” He emphasized that this lawsuit sends a clear message to all school administrators in Texas: if they cover up child abuse, they can be held accountable.
The allegations suggest that administrators at Celina ISD were aware of Elliott’s inappropriate relationship with a high school student as early as the 2022-23 school year. Instead of taking appropriate action, the district allegedly transferred Elliott to Moore Middle School, where he taught sixth-grade social studies and coached eighth-grade football.
The lawsuit details further misconduct occurring during the 2024-25 school year, including Elliott reportedly placing hidden cameras in the boys’ locker room. Despite these serious allegations, Celina ISD allegedly opted not to terminate Elliott or report him to the authorities, instead only banning him from the locker room during student presence.
In 2025, the situation escalated when Elliott allegedly returned to the campus and was seen recording students inappropriately. He was later arrested for invasive visual recording and possession of child pornography, with police recovering at least a dozen illicit images and notifying over 30 families about the situation.
The lawsuit names several key figures at Celina ISD, including Superintendent Thomas Maglisceau and Principal Allison Ginn, asserting they were aware of Elliott’s previous misconduct yet failed to report it as mandated by law. This indicates a culture within the district that prioritized the reputation of its football program over the safety of its students.
The legal claims are brought under a new Texas law that took effect on September 1, 2025, which allows victims of sexual misconduct by school employees to seek up to $500,000 in actual damages, plus punitive damages against both school districts and individual administrators. This marks a pivotal shift in accountability for school officials in Texas.
Beckworth expressed gratitude towards the Texas Legislature and specifically acknowledged Representative Mitch Little and Senator Angela Paxton for their roles in advancing the legislation. He noted, “This law finally gives victims a fair chance to hold school districts accountable when they turn a blind eye to predators within their ranks.”
The firm has a long history of representing survivors of sexual abuse and emphasizes the importance of providing clients with the necessary support and resources. Beckworth remarked, “We must ensure that our schools are a safe haven where children can learn and thrive—not a danger zone.”
Nix Patterson is urging anyone with information about this case or other misconduct involving Celina ISD to come forward. They can contact the firm directly by calling (512) 768-9747 or visiting their website for further information.
Nix Patterson LLP, based in Austin, Texas, has been a prominent advocate for survivors of sexual abuse and civil rights violations since its founding in 1985. The firm has achieved significant legal victories and remains committed to fighting for justice for victims across the nation.
