School District Pays Up In Near-Drowning Case

Calaveras County, CA — Mark Twain Union Elementary School District is settling with the parents of a student who nearly drowned in its care.

In June 2002, kindergartner James Allee nearly drowned while attending an end of the year swim party at his teacher´s house.

Allee´s guardian sued saying the student´s life vest was removed to apply sunscreen and was never put back on. Allee was later found floating face down in the pool and had to be resuscitated by CPR.

The suit requested one hundred and forty thousand dollars but details of the September 23rd settlement agreement show the district agreeing to pay fifteen thousand dollars.

According to court documents, now nine-year-old Allee suffers from permanent cognitive damage and post-traumatic stress.