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DENVER INJURY LAW, LLC

201 Columbine St., Ste. 150 #6888

Denver, CO 80206

Ph. 303-840-2222 (M-F, 9a-6p). 720-507-8773 (after hours)

Denver,  Colorado.  Colorado’s Top Personal Injury Law Firm® trial lawyer James Avery has filed a civil cause of action for sexual misconduct against a minor under the newly enacted Colorado law (SB021-088, CRS 13-20-1202) governing Sexual Misconduct Against Minors in in Arapahoe County District Court, Centennial, Colorado (Case No. 2022cv30065) on behalf of Angelica Saupe (a retired Colorado 911 dispatcher) against Aurora Public Schools and David James O'Neill Jr (a former Rangeview High School basketball/softball coach, Fellowship of Christian Athletes leader, and campus monitor). 

Plaintiff Angelica Saupe, age 35, claims that she was sexually abused as a minor (ages 14-17) for years (2000-2004) by Defendant David James O'Neill Jr., age 64, person in a position of trust as her basketball coach, at Aurora Public School’s Rangeview High School.  O'Neill, then age 43, was not reported and not charged at the time of the offense. Saupe complained to law enforcement in 2007, at age 20, and was told charges would not be filed.  Saupe has never been contacted by Aurora Public Schools, although she believes the School District was contacted by Aurora Police at the time of her complaint.

The newly enacted law (SB021-088), effective Jan 1, 2022, creates a new cause of action effectively setting aside time limits in cases going back to 1960. Victims have 3 years (until Jan. 1, 2025) to file previously time barred claims the new law.

The lawsuit seeks an unspecified amount of damages.  Damages under the new law, C.R.S. 13-20-1201, are capped at Five Hundred Thousand or One Million Dollars depending on the facts of the case. 

Denver trial lawyer James Avery comment on the new law:  "This is an unprecedented opportunity for justice where it is truly needed.  I have turned away dozens of clients who were sexually abused as children but who didn't come forward in time to file a case.  This new law gives them a remedy, albeit a limited one.  These victims invariably suffer for a lifetime and the abuse effects their families, their jobs, their social relationships, virtually every aspect of their lives.  To have this new tool in the arsenal to help them is a big step forward for society at large.   For the defendants in these heinous cases, its a day of reckoning.". This is one of five new case filings by Denver Injury Law LLC under the new Act.

DENVER INJURY LAW, LLC

201 Columbine St., Ste. 150 #6888

Denver, CO 80206

Ph. 303-840-2222 (M-F, 9a-6p). 720-507-8773 (after hours)

Denver,  Colorado.  Colorado’s Top Personal Injury Law Firm® trial lawyer James Avery has filed a civil cause of action for sexual misconduct against a minor under the newly enacted Colorado law (SB021-088, CRS 13-20-1202) governing Sexual Misconduct Against Minors in Arapahoe County District Court-Centennial, Colorado (Case No. 2022cv30137) on behalf of Cydny Norris (a former student at Smoky Hill (Aurora, CO) High School) againstCherry Creek School District and Perry Weisman, Sandy Smith, and Anton Durall Kaempfer  (all former Smoky Hill High School counselors or teachers).

Plaintiff Cydny Norris, age 59, claims that she was groomed beginning in 1975 at Campus Middle School, age 12 and sexually abused as a minor (ages 14-17) for years (1977 to 1980) by Defendant Anton Durall Kaempfer, age 31, a person in a position of trust as her guidance counselor, at Cherry Creek Schools' Smoky Hill High School.  Kaempfer, an adult, now age 77, was not reported and not charged at the time of the offense, although Norris alleges other counselors and teachers were aware of the misconduct.  Norris complained to law enforcement in 2015 and Boulder Sheriff Office refused to take a complaint.  Norris has never been informed of any investigation by Cherry Creek School District, although she believes the misconduct was reported to the School District by a whistle blower in 1993.

The newly enacted law (SB021-088), effective Jan 1, 2022, creates a new cause of action effectively setting aside time limits in cases going back to 1960. Victims have 3 years (until Jan. 1, 2025) to file previously time barred claims the new law.

The lawsuit seeks an unspecified amount of damages.  Damages under the new law, C.R.S. 13-20-1201, are capped at Five Hundred Thousand or One Million Dollars depending on the facts of the case. 

Denver trial lawyer James Avery comment on the new law:  "This is an unprecedented opportunity for justice where it is truly needed.  I have turned away dozens of clients who were sexually abused as children but who didn't come forward in time to file a case.  This new law gives them a remedy, albeit a limited one.  These victims invariably suffer for a lifetime and the abuse effects their families, their jobs, their social relationships, virtually every aspect of their lives.  To have this new tool in the arsenal to help them is a big step forward for society at large.   For the defendants in these heinous cases, its a day of reckoning." This is the fifth case filed by Avery under the new law. [end]

Nearly 10 percent of 9^th to 12^th grade students in Colorado have gone without eating for 24 hours or more; 4.7 percent have taken diet pills, powders or liquids; and 3.6 percent have vomited or taken laxatives – all to lose weight or to keep from gaining weight – according to 2009 data from the Centers for Disease Control. Eating Recovery Center (EatingRecoveryCenter.com), a national center for eating disorders recovery, warns that these behaviors can lead to medical complications, nutritional deficiencies and, potentially, a full-fledged eating disorder.

“Oftentimes, once teens begin to experiment with these behaviors, it can be difficult to get out of the habit of them, especially if they receive positive feedback from peers and others about the initial weight loss,” explained Ginger Hartman, R.D., registered dietitian at Eating Recovery Center’s Behavioral Hospital for Children and Adolescents. “These types of comments can often influence the teen to continue the behaviors and/or increase the frequency of behaviors. Eventually, the teen may no longer be able to control the behaviors and may find him or herself struggling with a life-threatening eating disorder.”

With swimsuit season and teens’ accompanying focus on body image around the corner, it is vital that parents keep an eye out for behaviors that may trigger disordered eating. Hartman offers the following six recommendations for parents who notice their teens engaging in unhealthy food-related behaviors:

1.     Better identify what your teen may be struggling with by learning more about eating disorders. 

2.     Parents should be on the alert for negative changes in attitudes or beliefs. Changes in your teen’s attitude about size or weight, dissatisfaction with his or her body and health consciousness may precede abnormal eating behaviors. 

3.     Discuss with your teen, in a caring, gentle and non-judgmental way, what you have noticed or observed and why it concerns you.  

4.     Schedule a medical check-up with a physician who has a background in working with eating disorders.  

5.     If behaviors persist, seek assistance from an eating disorders therapist and/or a registered dietitian who specializes in eating disorders.  

6.     Intervene early. The sooner that intervention occurs, the less likelihood there is for long-term effects or consequences from the behaviors. Earlier intervention can also increase the potential for lasting recovery.

Eating Recovery Center’s Behavioral Hospital for Children and Adolescents provides comprehensive eating disorder treatment for children and adolescents – both girls and boys – ages 10 through 17. Focused on empowering families to become agents of change in their children’s recovery, the program is led by a nationally recognized expert in child and adolescent eating disorders, Ovidio Bermudez, MD, FAAP, FSAHM, FAED, CEDS.

Learn more about treatment for eating disorders in teenagers and children at http://bit.ly/j9cLer.