Mother Loses Claim Against Pennsylvania School Over Daughter’s Disappearance

A federal judge has dismissed an eastern Pennsylvania mother’s argument that a school should be held responsible for psychological harm and bad publicity over her teenage daughter’s disappearance to Mexico with a married man.

The suit alleged that Lehigh Valley Academy violated the mother’s rights by repeatedly allowing 46-year-old Kevin Esterly to sign her out of classes.

U.S. District Judge Joseph Leeson said that the school wasn’t involved on the day she disappeared, since the two met at a bus stop before school. Attorney Everett Cook said an appeal is planned, but other claims may have to be pursued in Lehigh County Court.

Esterly was sentenced to 21/2 to five years in December on a misdemeanor corruption of a minor plea. He apologized but said their relationship was innocent.