A groundbreaking lawsuit has been filed by Nix Patterson LLP under Texas’s newly enacted school sexual abuse accountability law. This legislation, which aims to hold school administrators accountable for failing to protect students from sexual misconduct, is being put to the test for the first time. The lawsuit was filed in Collin County District Court on behalf of the families of three minor students from Jerry and Linda Moore Middle School, targeting the Celina Independent School District, former coach William Caleb “Caleb” Elliott, and several senior administrators.
The families allege a troubling history of sexual misconduct and invasive behavior by Elliott, who reportedly recorded minor students in the boys’ locker room. The lawsuit claims that the Celina Independent School District (ISD) engaged in grossly negligent hiring and supervision, allowing Elliott to continue working with students despite prior knowledge of his inappropriate behavior.
Brad Beckworth, Managing Partner at Nix Patterson, emphasized the significance of this case by stating, “For more than half a century, school administrators in Texas operated with near-total immunity. That era is over.” He noted that the suit sends a clear message to school administrators: if they cover up child abuse, they can be held accountable.
According to the lawsuit, Celina ISD administrators were aware as early as the 2022-23 school year of Elliott’s improper relationship with a high school student. Instead of taking appropriate action, the district allegedly transferred him to Moore Middle School, where he was later accused of placing hidden cameras in the boys’ locker room during the 2024-25 school year. Reports indicate that instead of terminating Elliott or reporting him to authorities, the district merely restricted his access to the locker room when students were present. In October 2025, he was arrested for invasive visual recording and possession of child pornography, with numerous illicit images recovered.
The plaintiffs contend that Superintendent Thomas Maglisceau, Principal Allison Ginn, and Elliott’s father, Bill Elliott, who is also the District’s Athletic Director, failed to act on previous misconduct reports. This alleged failure highlights a culture prioritizing the protection of the football program’s reputation over student safety.
The lawsuit utilizes provisions established by a new Texas law that took effect on September 1, 2025. For decades, Texas schools largely evaded accountability for failing to address sexual misconduct. The recent legislation allows victims to seek damages of up to $500,000 against both school districts and individual administrators who neglect their responsibility to protect children.
Beckworth expressed gratitude to Texas legislators, particularly Representative Mitch Little and Senator Angela Paxton, for their bipartisan support of the new law. “This law finally gives victims a fair chance to hold school districts accountable when they turn a blind eye to predators within their ranks,” he stated.
Nix Patterson, which has represented survivors of sexual abuse for over three decades, is dedicated to ensuring their clients receive counseling, resources, and advocacy. Beckworth noted the tragic reality of ongoing sexual impropriety in schools, saying, “We must ensure that our schools are a safe haven where children can learn and thrive—not a danger zone where they can be victimized.”
The firm is urging anyone with information regarding the case or related misconduct within Celina ISD to come forward. Individuals can contact Nix Patterson at (512) 768-9747 or visit their website for further information.
Headquartered in Austin, Texas, Nix Patterson LLP has achieved significant successes in advocating for survivors of sexual abuse and civil rights violations. The firm remains committed to fighting for victims and their families across the nation.
