Families File Largest Civil Suit Against Celina ISD, Seek Answers
Attorneys filed a fourth civil suit in Collin County on December 3, 2025, on behalf of 17 families, alleging gross negligence by William "Caleb" Elliott and Celina ISD after alleged sexual misconduct at Moore Middle School. The suit seeks more than one million dollars, sworn testimony from district employees, and raises questions about district oversight, community safety, and the need for better trauma and reporting responses for students.
Attorneys representing 17 families filed the fourth civil suit in Collin County District Court on December 3, 2025, alleging gross negligence by former Moore Middle School coach William "Caleb" Elliott and Celina Independent School District. The filing, the largest to date, asks for a jury trial and seeks damages exceeding one million dollars. It also asks the court to compel sworn testimony from district employees responsible for hiring, transferring and supervising Elliott.
The suit alleges that Elliott photographed students in various states of undress and coerced some minors to perform naked exercises in the locker room. Plaintiffs allege new evidence shows school employees, including another coach, confronted Elliott about recording behavior before the matter was reported to school administrators. The complaint frames those actions as failures of supervision and reporting that harmed students and families.
Celina ISD issued a statement late on December 3 saying it forwarded new information to its independent third party investigator and to Celina police for inclusion in ongoing investigations. The civil filing came as Celina police and federal authorities continue criminal inquiries. Local law enforcement previously identified dozens of alleged victims and federal prosecutors have filed criminal charges related to the case.
Beyond legal consequences, the case has wide public health and community implications. Allegations of sexual abuse and covert recording of students contribute to widespread trauma among victims and their classmates, and strain trust between families and school institutions. Mental health providers and school counselors may see increased demand for trauma informed care, and school based support systems will be central to recovery and resilience for affected students.
The suit also highlights systemic issues in hiring, supervision and internal reporting practices in school districts. Calls for sworn testimony and release of investigative findings aim to shed light on whether warning signs were adequately investigated and whether policy or oversight changes are needed to prevent future harm. As civil and criminal processes continue, families, educators and policymakers in Collin County will be watching how transparency, accountability and investments in student mental health are addressed. Families seeking updates should follow statements from Celina ISD and Celina police as investigations proceed.
