How Are Parents Responding to Alleged Sexual Abuse at Trinity Valley School?

Lawsuit Alleges Twelve-Year Cover-Up of Abuse Involving At Least 16 Girls

Parents of former Trinity Valley School students filed a lawsuit on March 28, 2025, against the prestigious Fort Worth private school, alleging administrators covered up sexual abuse of at least 16 female students. The suit claims former middle school teacher and coach Todd A. Hargrove abused students over 12 years from 2008 to 2020. Attorneys representing the families are seeking more than $1 million in damages, stating school officials knew about the misconduct but failed to take appropriate action. Trinity Valley School has acknowledged awareness of the lawsuit but has not addressed specific allegations.

5 Key Points

• Parents allege Trinity Valley School administrators concealed sexual abuse by former teacher Todd Hargrove for 12 years.
• The lawsuit, filed March 28, claims at least 16 female students were victimized between 2008 and 2020.
• School officials allegedly knew about Hargrove’s behavior but failed to take appropriate action to protect students.
• Attorneys Jessica Palomino, Michael Schneider, and Artie Johnson represent the families seeking over $1 million in damages.
• Trinity Valley School informed parents about misconduct in November 2023, after Hargrove resigned in October 2023.

What Are the Specific Allegations Against Hargrove and the School?

The lawsuit filed against Trinity Valley School details disturbing allegations of systematic abuse by former middle school teacher and coach Todd A. Hargrove, spanning more than a decade. According to court documents, Hargrove allegedly sexually abused at least 16 female students between 2008 and 2020, creating a pattern of predatory behavior that went unchecked for years. The legal filing specifically accuses the school of negligence, stating that Trinity Valley School and its administrators “concealed from students and parents that Hargrove was a dangerous sexual predator that posed a high risk and danger to minor female students.” This central claim forms the basis for the damages sought by the families, who maintain that proper oversight and intervention could have prevented years of abuse.

When Did the School Acknowledge the Allegations?

According to the lawsuit, Trinity Valley School did not publicly address the allegations until November 2023, despite claims that administrators were aware of Hargrove’s behavior much earlier. The timing raises significant questions about the school’s response protocol, as it came after Hargrove resigned in October 2023. The plaintiffs’ attorneys argue this delayed response demonstrates institutional failure to protect vulnerable students. In response to the lawsuit, the school released a statement saying, “We are aware of the lawsuit, and we take all allegations of misconduct involving our students seriously.” However, the school has not directly addressed specific claims about administrator knowledge or the alleged cover-up detailed in the court filing.

Get a free legal case review today

Did you develop any of the following injuries after being exposed to Fire Fighting Foam (AFFF)? * Choose one Ulcerative Colitis Kidney Cancer Pancreatic Cancer Testicular Cancer Prostate Cancer Bladder Cancer Thyroid Disease Liver Cancer Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma None of the above Were you exposed to Fire Fighting Foam (AFFF)? *

YesNo

Which medication(s) did you take during your pregnancy? * Choose one Tylenol Acetaminophen Alka-Seltzer Coricidin Dayquil Excedrin FluTherapy Midol Mucinex Nyquil Panadol Robitussin Sinex Sudafed Theraflu Other Medication(s) Was your child diagnosed with Autism, ADHD or another condition? * Choose one Autism/Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Asperger’s Syndrome Kanner’s Syndrome Childhood Disintegrative Disorder Pervasive Developmental Disorder Other Medical Condition How old was your child at the time of diagnosis? *

Under 18 years old18+ years old

Did the accident occur within the last 2 years? *

YesNo

First Name *

Last Name *

Email Address *

ZIP Code *

Phone Number *

What is your case type? * Choose one -------------------- Asbestos Baby Formula Camp Lejeune Clergy Abuse CPAP Elmiron Exactech Firefighting Foam FTX Exchange Hair Relaxer Hernia Mesh Paraquat PFAS Roundup Sex Abuse Social Media Talcum Powder Tepezza Tylenol -------------------- Birth Injury Car Accident FELA Medical Malpractice Motorcycle Accident Slip and Fall Trucking Accident Uber & Lyft Rideshare Workplace Injury Weight Loss Wrongful Death -------------------- Something Else

Human Verification *

I understand and agree that (a) submitting this form does not create an attorney-client relationship, (b) I am not already represented by an attorney for this matter, (c) the information I submit will be shared with a law firm, and (d) I have read and accepted the terms and conditions of the Privacy Policy, Terms of Service and Legal Disclaimer. Further, I consent to being contacted by a law firm or its agent after submitting this request.

Thank you! Your submission has been received!

Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Who Is Representing the Families in This Legal Battle?

The alleged victims’ families have secured legal representation from attorneys Jessica Palomino, Michael Schneider, and Artie Johnson, who filed the lawsuit on March 28, 2025. These lawyers are pursuing damages exceeding $1 million, citing the long-term psychological impact on the students and the alleged institutional negligence that allowed the abuse to continue. The legal team has compiled evidence from multiple families, creating a comprehensive case over a decade of suspected misconduct. Their central argument focuses on administrative accountability, claiming school officials had knowledge of inappropriate behavior but prioritized the school’s reputation over student safety.

What Impact Has This Case Had on the Fort Worth Community?

The allegations against Trinity Valley School have sent shockwaves through the Fort Worth educational community, particularly among private school networks where Trinity Valley holds a prestigious reputation. Parents of current and former students have expressed growing concern about institutional safeguards designed to protect children from abuse. The case highlights broader questions about mandatory reporting requirements in educational settings and the balance between institutional reputation and student safety. Local child advocacy groups have noted that this case represents a troubling pattern of delayed response to abuse allegations in educational environments, which often leaves additional students vulnerable to predatory behavior.