Saupe v Aurora Public Schools, Coach Dave O’Neill: New case filing under Child Sex Abuse Accountability Act

DENVER INJURY LAW, LLC

201 Columbine St., Ste. 150 #6888

Denver, CO 80206

Ph. 303-840-2222 (M-F, 9a-6p). 720-507-8773 (after hours)

Denver,  Colorado.  Colorado’s Top Personal Injury Law Firm® trial lawyer James Avery has filed a civil cause of action for sexual misconduct against a minor under the newly enacted Colorado law (SB021-088, CRS 13-20-1202) governing Sexual Misconduct Against Minors in in Arapahoe County District Court, Centennial, Colorado (Case No. 2022cv30065) on behalf of Angelica Saupe (a retired Colorado 911 dispatcher) against Aurora Public Schools and David “Dave” James O’Neill Jr (a former Rangeview High School basketball/softball coach, Fellowship of Christian Athletes leader, and campus monitor).  

Plaintiff Angelica Saupe, age 35, claims that she was sexually abused as a minor (ages 14-17) for years (2000-2004) by Defendant David James O’Neill Jr., age 64, person in a position of trust as her basketball coach, at Aurora Public School’s Rangeview High School.  O’Neill, then age 44, was not reported and not charged at the time of the offense.  Saupe complained to law enforcement in 2007, at age 20, and was told charges would not be filed.  Saupe has never been contacted by Aurora Public Schools, although she believes the School District was contacted by Aurora Police at the time of her complaint.

The newly enacted law (SB021-088), effective Jan 1, 2022, creates a new cause of action effectively setting aside time limits in cases going back to 1960. Victims have 3 years (until Jan. 1, 2025) to file previously time barred claims the new law.

The lawsuit seeks an unspecified amount of damages.  Damages under the new law, C.R.S. 13-20-1201, are capped at Five Hundred Thousand or One Million Dollars depending on the facts of the case.  

Denver trial lawyer James Avery comment on the new law:  “This is an unprecedented opportunity for justice where it is truly needed.  I have turned away dozens of clients who were sexually abused as children but who didn’t come forward in time to file a case.  This new law gives them a remedy, albeit a limited one.  These victims invariably suffer for a lifetime and the abuse effects their families, their jobs, their social relationships, virtually every aspect of their lives.  To have this new tool in the arsenal to help them is a big step forward for society at large.   For the defendants in these heinous cases, its a day of reckoning.”

If you have any information about sex abuse against minors at Aurora Public Schools, please contact James Avery at ph. 303-840-2222 or via the contact form below.

Angelica Saupe, sex abuse victim
Coach Dave O’Neill, alleged sex offender
Colorado’s Top Personal Injury Law Firm
Denver Trial Lawyer James Avery

Norris v. Cherry Creek Schools: New case filing under Child Sex Abuse Accountability Act

Smoky Hill High School in Cherry Creek School District, Colorado

DENVER INJURY LAW, LLC

201 Columbine St., Ste. 150 #6888

Denver, CO 80206

Ph. 303-840-2222 (M-F, 9a-6p). 720-507-8773 (after hours)

Denver,  Colorado.  Colorado’s Top Personal Injury Law Firm® trial lawyer James Avery has filed multiple civil causes of action for sexual misconduct against a minor under the newly enacted Colorado law (SB021-088, CRS 13-20-1202) governing Sexual Misconduct Against Minors.

Case filed in Arapahoe County District Court-Centennial, Colorado (Case No. 2022cv30137) on behalf of Cydny Norris (a former student at Smoky Hill (Aurora, CO) High School) against Cherry Creek School District and Perry Weisman, Sandy Smith, and Anton Durall Kaempfer  (all former Smoky Hill High School counselors or teachers)

Plaintiff Cydny Norris, age 59, claims that she was groomed beginning in 1975 at Campus Middle School, age 12 and sexually abused as a minor (ages 14-17) for years (1977 to 1980) by Defendant Anton Durall Kaempfer, age 31, a person in a position of trust as her guidance counselor, at Cherry Creek Schools’ Smoky Hill High School.  Kaempfer, an adult, now age 77, was not reported and not charged at the time of the offense, although Norris alleges other counselors and teachers were aware of the misconduct.  Norris complained to law enforcement in 2015 and Boulder Sheriff Office refused to take a complaint.  Norris has never been informed of any investigation by Cherry Creek School District, although she believes the misconduct was reported to the School District by a whistle blower in 1993.

The newly enacted law (SB021-088), effective Jan 1, 2022, creates a new cause of action effectively setting aside time limits in cases going back to 1960. Victims have 3 years (until Jan. 1, 2025) to file previously time barred claims the new law.

The lawsuit seeks an unspecified amount of damages.  Damages under the new law, C.R.S. 13-20-1201, are capped at Five Hundred Thousand or One Million Dollars depending on the facts of the case.  

Denver trial lawyer James Avery comment on the new law:  “This is an unprecedented opportunity for justice where it is truly needed.  I have turned away dozens of clients who were sexually abused as children but who didn’t come forward in time to file a case.  This new law gives them a remedy, albeit a limited one.  These victims invariably suffer for a lifetime and the abuse effects their families, their jobs, their social relationships, virtually every aspect of their lives.  To have this new tool in the arsenal to help them is a big step forward for society at large.   For the defendants in these heinous cases, its a day of reckoning.” This is the fifth case filed by Avery under the new law. [end]

If you have any information about this case or sex abuse at Cherry Creek Schools, please contact Denver Injury Law LLC’s trial lawyer James Avery, ph. 303-840-2222 or fill out the contact form below and we will contact you.