A family in Tennessee is suing a school district and the employer of a female janitor who is accused of raping a 16-year-old boy at school.

Jessica E. Galyon, 29, was arrested Feb. 23 and charged with aggravated statutory rape and related charges, according to the Knoxville News-Sentinel.

The lawsuit claims that Galyon began to harass the boy, a student at Midway High School, last August, making unwanted sexual advances. The actions escalated to the point where the boy confronted Galyon at school, and Galyon took the boy into a room and raped him, according to authorities.

Galyon's obsession with the boy was well-known to other students and faculty members, who bullied the boy, according to the lawsuit. The boy dropped out of school after the assault and is now being home-schooled and attending counseling sessions.

The boy's family is suing Roane County Schools and Galyon's employer, Compass One Services, for $4.5 million in damages.

About the Author

Keep Reading

Students are seen entering and leaving the Tate Student Center on the University of Georgia campus on Monday, Sept. 8, 2025. State data released Tuesday shows that the rate of international students enrolling in Georgia’s public universities dropped dramatically this semester. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Featured

The DeKalb school district is suing to recover money spent on cellphone lockers, plus money spent on implementing social media guidelines and hosting associated events, lost teaching time and to hire extra school counselors. (The New York Times file)

Credit: NYT