Roosevelt Middle School Sexual Abuse Lawsuit

Financial Compensation for Victims Sexually Abused by Former Teachers in the Palm Beach County School District

If you were the victim of abuse in the Palm Beach County school district, you may be eligible for a Roosevelt Middle School sexual abuse lawsuit. Every school has a responsibility to protect students, but many fail to uphold these obligations. 

The Injury Lawyer Team holds negligent parties responsible through Florida school sex abuse lawsuits, helping victims receive justice and financial compensation. Contact us today for a free consultation about your legal rights.

Allegations Against Palm Beach County Teacher Miguel Benavente

In July 2025, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office arrested Miguel Benavente, 57, for sexually assaulting a minor under the age of 12. Benevente was a former teacher at Roosevelt Middle School and had even won Teacher of the Year in 2002. 

Interviews with the former student revealed that Benavente began grooming the child when he was only 7 years old. The abuse occurred multiple times in the early 2000s, when the victim was between 9 and 14.

However, these were not the only disturbing allegations against Benavente. At the time when the first victim was being abused, Miguel Benavente was under investigation for sexual battery against another student, who was under the age of 14. 

This assault was reported to the Palm Beach County School Board District Police in 2000, but could not be pursued in court because the statute of limitations had expired. 

In both cases, Benavente lured the young people to his private residence under the guise of helping them with their school work. There, he would force them to watch pornographic movies before abusing them.

He is currently charged with sexual battery on a victim under 12 years old. The Palm Beach County School District has confirmed that he has been removed from Roosevelt Middle School and placed on administrative leave pending an internal review by the school board district police. 

Sadly, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office believes that this predator may have sexually assaulted other students. If you know of other victims, please contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-458-8477 (TIPS). Our team will assist you in filing school sexual abuse claims against both Benavente and the Palm Beach County School District. 

What Laws Govern School Sexual Assault Claims in Florida?

The Florida Supreme Court case Jones v. State affirmed that society has an obligation to intervene if a child is being exploited or mistreated. Additionally, the case asserts that a child cannot legally consent to any sexual contact, even if they claim to consent. 

This means that anyone in Florida, regardless of their occupation, has a moral duty to prevent abuse. However, schools and their employees are held to an explicit legal standard in these cases. They may face both criminal and civil penalties for failing to address and prevent illegal sexual contact between students and educators. 

All school employees and administrators have a legal responsibility to report any abuse to the proper authorities, including the Florida Department of Children and Families. This includes physical abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, or sexual battery of any kind. Educators must be trained on how to identify signs of abuse and make a complete report to DCF (§§ 1006.061). 

Additionally, schools must immediately investigate and address any allegations against educators or other employees. These cases take precedence over any other pending complaints and must be completed even if the complainant withdraws the allegation (§ 1012.796). 

For sexual misconduct, the investigation must be completed within 90 days of the original complaint. The school must notify the Department of Education if the alleged perpetrator is terminated or resigns, as well as the outcome of the case (§ 1012.796). 

Failure to investigate or take appropriate action could lead to the school being penalized. The school district superintendent could also face legal action (§ 1012.796). 

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Civil Lawsuit Against a Florida School?

Injury Lawyer Team will thoroughly investigate your case to identify who can be held liable and ensure that each party is held accountable. These can include the following.

• Individual Perpetrator: Whether you were harmed by Miguel Benavente or another predatory teacher, the perpetrator can face both criminal and civil litigation.
• Other School Officials: Teachers, social workers, and administrators are legally required to report sexual battery or misconduct to the Department of Children and Families. Failure to do so could make them party to a civil lawsuit.
• Schools and Districts: Elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools can all be held responsible for negligent hiring, training, or supervision of their employees. They can also be held accountable if they allow the perpetrator to have contact with students during an investigation. 
• School Board District Police: To protect students, district police must take actions such as cooperating with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office or state police to investigate potential abuse.

Even if the individual perpetrator has passed away, you may still be able to take legal action against other parties to the case as long as the applicable statute of limitations has not expired. 

How Long Do Victims Have to Take Legal Action in Florida?

The Florida statute of limitations depends on the age of the victim at the time of assault. For students who were under the age of 16 at the time of the abuse, they can take action at any time, even if the abuse happened decades prior (§ 95.11(10)). 

Those who were above the age of 16 have seven years after turning 18 or four years after discovering their injuries were connected to abuse (§ 95.11(8))

What Damages Can Victims Recover in a Civil Case?

Our Million Dollar Advocates will fight to ensure that all your needs are covered in a sexual abuse lawsuit settlement. Damages can include:

• Medical bills
• Loss of income
• Psychological counseling
• Physical pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of normal life

Why You Need Legal Representation

Students who were abused by authority figures often face significant emotional trauma, including a loss of trust, depression, PTSD, and anxiety. Our compassionate and trauma-informed approach empowers victims to share their story while shielding them from contact with the perpetrator. 

Additionally, many victims do not disclose the abuse until years later, during which time vital evidence may have been lost or destroyed. We will thoroughly investigate the case to find all available information, such as student records, middle school employment records, contemporaneous medical reports, police reports, and eyewitness statements. 

Having served victims for 25 years, we have cultivated a strong network of experts who can explain to a judge and jury why victims may take years to disclose. These experts will also help us accurately assess potential damages, enabling us to pursue maximum compensation. Through our work, we ensure every victim can receive justice for the tremendous harm done by predatory educators. 

Contact Our Law Firm for a Free Consultation

Child molestation leaves lifelong scars for survivors, particularly when done by someone the victim trusts. Injury Lawyer Team is the leading law firm in Florida fighting for justice against abusive educators and the schools that shield them from liability.

We work on a contingency fee basis: no fees unless we win. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.