Celina ISD Faces New Legal Threats in Caleb Elliott Case

Community Demands Transparency and Accountability

The ongoing case involving former Celina ISD teacher and coach Caleb Elliott has sparked growing calls for transparency, alongside threats of legal action. The situation has also drawn attention to the district’s decision to place Bill Elliott, the suspect's father and head football coach at Celina High School, on “non-disciplinary” paid leave. This move has raised questions about the district's handling of the matter and its commitment to student safety.

Caleb Elliott, who previously worked as a teacher and coach at Moore Middle School, is currently facing charges of invasive visual recording and possession or promotion of child pornography. He was arrested by Celina Police on October 3, and the school district and administrators are under increasing scrutiny as new details emerge.

On Thursday morning, three attorneys, including Texas State Rep. Mitch Little, held a press conference at the Collin County Courthouse. Little announced that he, along with attorneys Jack Walker and Quentin Brogdon, plans to file civil lawsuits on behalf of additional families affected by Elliott’s alleged crimes. They are currently in contact with at least 12 families, but emphasize that their investigation is still in its early stages, suggesting there may be more victims.

According to charging documents, Elliott is accused of recording boys, partially or fully undressed, in a locker room at Moore Middle School on October 2. Some of the families they are speaking with have been informed by police detectives that between 36 and 38 boys were captured on video or images, according to Brogdon and Walker.

A separate lawsuit has already been filed by three other families against the school district, alleging previous misconduct by Elliott when he worked at Celina High School. These families, identified as “John Does” in a civil case filed in Collin County, claim their children were among the victims recorded in the Moore Middle School locker room, either partially or fully undressed.

Their lawsuit alleges that the problems began more than two years ago when Elliott "began an improper (and unlawful) relationship with a then-senior of the high school." He was subsequently moved to Moore Middle School as an 8th-grade coach and 6th-grade social studies teacher.

“I am horrified by what’s going on in Celina ISD,” said Little during the press conference. “I, like you, am horrified at the reports that Caleb Elliott was passed from school to school in the district. That he had attempted to place cameras at another school. That he was banned from the locker room.”

Little, Walker, and Brogdon plan to use HB 4623, a bill introduced by Little, in their pending lawsuits. This legislation, which took effect in September, removes “sovereign immunity” for school districts in sexual misconduct cases, allowing victims to hold them accountable.

“For years, we’ve attempted to hold school districts and administrators accountable for sex assaults and victimizing small children and up to now have been unable to do this because of sovereign immunity,” said Walker.

“Everyone wants to know what happened, who did it, and when it happened,” said Little. “We need to investigate whether Celina ISD grossly negligently or recklessly continued employing or failing to supervise Caleb Elliott in a way that caused harm to these children.”

Shortly after Elliott’s arrest, the district announced a third-party attorney was looking into the circumstances that led to his alleged crimes. However, Little questions whether this investigation is truly independent and whether its findings will be made public.

Controversy Over Bill Elliott’s Role

The football-centric community of Celina is divided over Bill Elliott, the suspected predator’s father, who serves as Celina ISD’s Athletic Director and head football coach at Celina High School. The district placed him on “non-disciplinary leave” last Friday, citing concerns that his presence could compromise the ongoing investigation.

Elliott Sr. has been identified as someone directly or indirectly involved in the hiring and/or supervision of his son, Caleb, according to a Celina ISD press release. The district also placed Allison Ginn, principal at Moore Middle School, on paid leave pending the outcome of the investigation.

Despite this, some members of the community are voicing support for Bill Elliott. An online petition with over 850 signatures is calling on Celina ISD to include him in Celina High School’s Senior Night pre-game activities this Friday. The petition claims the brief appearance would not interfere with any ongoing administrative processes and states, “We feel strongly that these athletes should not be penalized any further for this unfortunate circumstance.”

NBC 5 asked the school district’s spokesperson for an update on the investigation and whether Elliott Sr. would be allowed to participate in Senior Night. In response, Nancy Alvarez stated, “Due to the pending investigations and litigation, the District will not respond to individual requests for comments or statements.” However, she shared a statement from Celina ISD Superintendent Dr. Tom Maglisceau, who confirmed that Elliott Sr. would not be permitted to attend the event.

Maglisceau emphasized that the district initiated an independent third-party investigation immediately after being notified of the charges against Caleb Elliott. He described the investigator, Ms. Ortiz, as neutral, independent, and without conflicts of interest. He also reiterated that employees on leave are prohibited from attending district functions, including Senior Night.

Calls for Accountability

During the press conference, attorney Brogdon criticized the school district for failing in its fundamental duty to protect students. “Instead of protecting those students, the district chose to protect itself,” said Brogdon. “Instead of protecting those vulnerable students, the district chose to protect coaches, it certainly appears. And instead of protecting those students, the district chose to protect its ability to go get another state football championship. Something’s very wrong with that picture. There needs to be accountability.”

With the passage of HB 4623, Little and his team believe they can now pursue legal action and hold the district accountable for its actions.