Families of 17 Additional Victims File New Lawsuit Alleging Widespread Failures in Celina ISD Abuse Case
Attorneys representing families in one of the ongoing civil suits against Celina Independent School District announced Wednesday that they have filed a new lawsuit on behalf of 17 additional victims connected to the criminal investigation into former teacher and coach Caleb Elliott.
Elliott, who previously worked at Moore Middle School as a teacher and football coach, is facing both state and federal charges after investigators say he secretly photographed and recorded boys in a locker room while they were changing. Celina police reported last week that they have identified 39 victims to date.
Wednesday’s filing marks the fourth civil lawsuit tied to Elliott’s alleged actions and asserts that Celina ISD repeatedly ignored warning signs and allowed Elliott continued, unsupervised access to students despite earlier concerns.
Lawsuit Allegations: Missed Red Flags and Administrative Failures
The new lawsuit claims that school officials overlooked multiple indications of inappropriate behavior. Without citing detailed evidence, the filing alleges that Elliott engaged in unlawful conduct with a student several years ago while employed at Celina High School, and that district leaders failed to act decisively.
According to the suit, Elliott was later reassigned quietly to Moore Middle School, a move the plaintiffs argue was motivated by the desire to protect the image of the district’s celebrated high school football program, where Elliot’s father, Bill Elliott, serves as head coach.
Attorneys: “Every red flag was met with a green light”
At a press conference in McKinney, attorneys sharply criticized both the school district and the Celina Police Department for what they described as a pattern of delayed or insufficient action.
State Rep. Mitch Little revealed that the legal team had been informed of a confrontation between Elliott and another coach over past attempts Elliott allegedly made to record students in the locker room. Little added that others were reportedly aware of these concerns.
“Every red flag in this case was met with a green light,” attorney Jack Walker said. “This represents a systemic failure by the school district to stop a known predator from preying on children. These 17 families deserve justice, accountability, and transparency.”
Little argued that the police department concluded its investigation prematurely, saying more witnesses and information still need to be reviewed.
Snapchat Subpoenaed in Criminal Investigation
Little also disclosed that law enforcement has issued subpoenas to Snapchat to determine whether Elliott shared any of the photos or recordings with others.
“For families who are trying to seek justice, it’s going to be very difficult to know who may have gained access to the images or videos taken,” Little said.
Concerns Over District Culture and Leadership
Attorneys further asserted that Elliott’s employment was protected by internal politics within Celina ISD’s athletic department.
Elliott’s father, Bill Elliott, is not only the head football coach but also the district’s athletic director. He led Celina High School to a state championship in 2024 and has significant influence within the district’s sports programs.
According to the legal team, the athletic department operated with limited oversight and had become “increasingly siloed,” described as functioning like a “fiefdom” without adequate accountability.
Both Bill Elliott and the principal of Moore Middle School are currently on leave while Celina ISD and the Texas Education Agency conduct separate investigations.
Celina ISD Responds: “Investigations are ongoing and transparent”
In a statement issued Wednesday, Celina ISD pushed back against the attorneys’ characterizations, saying the district remains committed to transparency and cooperation.
“Contrary to the statements made at the press conference today, it remains the District’s intention to be thorough and transparent throughout this process,” the district said. It added that the latest lawsuit and information have been forwarded to the independent third-party investigator and Celina Police Department.
The district says it has requested that law enforcement fully investigate all claims involving Elliott or any current or former employee. Findings will be submitted to the Texas Education Agency.
A Community Searching for Answers
- As multiple investigations continue, families, educators, and community members in Celina are grappling with the scale of the allegations, and what plaintiffs say are deeply rooted failures in oversight and accountability.
The legal team representing the families says more victims may still come forward and additional lawsuits could follow.
