An Alabama woman is suing several school officials, alleging that a man from Kentucky sexually assaulted her daughter after being allowed to pick up the teen from school.

In September of 2024 a man named Justin Stephens called Central High School in Lauderdale County and pretended to be the 15-year-old’s parent, according to the lawsuit filed in state court on Monday.

“The written rules of CHS require all check-ins and check-outs to be processed in person through the main office, and the person checking the student out must present in-person to the main office and provide photo identification,” the lawsuit reads.

But the lawsuit says that no one at the school checked Stephens’ ID.

Video footage showed the girl getting into Stephens’ truck about 9 a.m., according to the lawsuit.

Stephens then allegedly took the girl to an abandoned building and raped her, the suit says.

At 2 p.m. cameras showed the student returning to the school.

Police have said that Stephens met the girl online and traveled from Kentucky to meet her in Alabama.

Defendants in this case include Stephens, Central High Principal Duana Keener, Assistant Principal Greta Erwin, and Elizabeth Shelton, the school secretary, and any other unnamed school employees who failed to follow policy.

AL.com has reached out to the school principal for comment. He did not immediately respond on Tuesday evening.

“Check-ins and check-outs are not allowed until the check-out has been verified by the parent/guardian of the student, and the person checking the student out must present a note with the parent/guardian’s signature and phone number,” the lawsuit reads. “All check-ins and check-outs are subject to the approval of the principal/administrator.

Stephens was arrested in Oct. 2024 and charged with rape and traveling to meet a child for an unlawful sex act. Court records state he confessed to the incident when speaking with the police.

The mother’s lawsuit emphasizes that Stephens was driving a black Dodge truck which school personnel knew was different than the vehicles driven by the teen’s parents.

In the lawsuit the mother says that Stephen’s actions were a consequence of the failures and negligence of the CHS administrators.

The lawsuit says that the teen has suffered mental, social and emotional trauma.

The lawsuit says she “has prematurely lost her childhood, been caused anxiety, embarrassment, loss of trust, and an alienation of affection and certain relationships.”