(WWJ) An Oakland County substitute teacher accused of sex crimes appeared in criminal court today, just as a civil lawsuit has been filed against him.
WWJ Newsradio 950's Charlie Langton says a civil suit has been filed against Timothy Daugherty of White Lake by attorney Ven Johnson, who represents as many as a dozen families in this case.
Daugherty, 61, appeared for a hearing in an Oakland County district courtroom on Wednesday on six counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct.
It is alleged, Langton reports, that Daugherty inappropriately touched young kids at the Spring Mills Elementary School in Highland Township, where Daugherty was contracted as a substitute teacher.
While specifics surrounding the alleged incidents were not disclosed, prosecutors said the allegations involve inappropriate sexual conduct with minor students. Officials did not say how old the students were.
Johnson said Daugherty "had been in and around this school district and others for years, and there were comments made about how he hugged kids inappropriately, from our understanding, for years."
Along with Daughtery, Johnson said they're also suing the Huron Valley school district, alleging negligence on the part of administrators.
Johnson acknowledged that the issue of governmental immunity -- meaning the idea that the district, as a governmental body, can't be sued -- is a hurdle here.
"There's going to be a similar argument that we face, obviously, in the Oxford (high school shooting) case," Johnson said. "So, we try to do what we call plead around that. We'll attack governmental immunity again, just like we did in Oxford."
On the criminal side, Wednesday's court appearance is a preliminary exam during which a judge could rule on whether there is enough evidence to send the case to trial. WWJ's Darrylin Horne reported this was a closed hearing, as minors as young as 9 testified.
"Unbelievable that the school didn't bother contacting any of us and we had to hear it from another parent," one mother said at a press conference outside the courthouse. "It's heartbreaking to hear your child describe something like that."
If convicted in the criminal case, the defendant faces up to 15 years imprisonment, with lifetime electronic monitoring upon parole.
Langton said court proceedings in the the civil case are likely to begin next year.
The prosecutor’s office is encouraging any potential victims or anyone who has more information about the incidents to contact the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office Highland Township Substation at 248-887-6240.