News Summary
Central Catholic High School is being sued by the family of two teenage boys due to allegations of bullying, sexual harassment, and assault by the soccer team. The lawsuit claims the school failed to protect the boys despite prior knowledge of incidents, leading to severe physical and mental harm. Staff members, including the principal and athletic director, are named in the suit, which seeks $1 million in damages. The school is conducting an internal investigation while collaborating with law enforcement.
San Antonio, Texas – Central Catholic High School is facing a lawsuit filed by the family of two teenage boys, citing serious allegations of bullying, sexual harassment, and physical assault involving members of the school’s soccer team. The lawsuit, submitted on Thursday morning, accuses the school and several staff members of failing to protect the boys from ongoing harassment and abuse.
The allegations detailed in the lawsuit include bullying, sexual harassment, battery, physical assault, sexual assault, and hazing. It claims a “long-standing problem” within the school environment, where teachers and administrators are alleged to have taken no meaningful action despite being aware of the reported incidents. Some students reportedly received commendations in spite of their alleged misconduct, which calls into question the school’s commitment to maintaining a safe and respectful atmosphere.
Named in the lawsuit are multiple staff members, including Principal Lee Hernandez, Athletic Director Edward Ybarra, and Head Soccer Coach Bartholomew Valerio. The suit also mentions three former teammates of the victims, though they are not identified due to their status as minors. The plaintiffs are seeking $1,000,000 in damages for the alleged misconduct, which has had severe physical and mental consequences for the affected individuals.
According to the lawsuit, Central Catholic High School had prior knowledge of similar incidents reported before April 2025 but failed to enforce its zero-tolerance policy towards bullying and hazing. The school’s current situation is characterized as “Hazing on Steroids,” indicating an alarming culture of violence and intimidation that perpetuates a toxic environment. The plaintiffs’ family argues that the school projects a “false image” of safety and brotherhood, misleading prospective students and their families regarding existing bullying and hazing issues.
In light of these revelations, the school administration has opened an internal investigation, resulting in the expulsion of two students and disciplinary actions against three others. Among those expelled was a senior, who has since been barred from graduating. Furthermore, the family has filed police reports with both the San Antonio and Round Rock police departments, which are reportedly involved in the investigation into these allegations.
Disturbing accounts of physical abuse have also surfaced, including a particularly troubling incident where a student was allegedly locked in a cage as part of the hazing rituals. In response to these serious allegations, the school’s president has confirmed that the institution is cooperating with law enforcement throughout the ongoing investigation.
To ensure transparency and accountability within the school’s administration, Central Catholic High School announced the hiring of JCA Law, PLLC, to conduct an independent review of the allegations and the school’s response to them. This move aims to bolster confidence among parents and students regarding the institution’s commitment to addressing and resolving the issues at hand.
Moreover, the school encourages any parents or students affected by or aware of bullying-related incidents to report them anonymously. As the situation continues to develop, Central Catholic High School and its community must confront the challenges presented by these serious allegations.
The ongoing lawsuit and investigation serve as a reminder of the critical importance of creating a safe school environment for all students, free from harassment and abuse. The outcomes of this case may significantly impact not only the affected individuals but also the broader community at Central Catholic High School.
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Additional Resources
- KENS 5: Lawsuit Against Central Catholic High School
- Express News: Central Catholic High School’s Influence
- News 4 San Antonio: Hazing Lawsuit Filed
- KSAT: Central Catholic Hires Law Firm
- Express News: Sexual Assault Allegations at Central Catholic
- Wikipedia: Bullying
- Google Search: Sexual Harassment
- Google Scholar: School Safety
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Hazing
- Google News: Central Catholic High School Lawsuit
Author: STAFF HERE SAN ANTONIO WRITER
The SAN ANTONIO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanAntonio.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Antonio, Bexar County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Fiesta San Antonio, San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, and Dia de los Muertos. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, plus leading businesses in retail, insurance, and energy that power the local economy such as H-E-B, USAA, and Valero Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HEREHouston.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
