Woman sues Humble ISD after teacher allegedly gropes daughter

HOUSTON - Humble resident Misti Johnston is suing the Humble Independent School District on allegations a teacher inappropriately touched her daughter.

Recent court papers filed May 17 in the Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas claim Michael Trost, a teacher at HISD's Woodcreek Middle School, massaged and groped the young girl on a constant basis.

The 12-year-old joins her mother as a co-plaintiff in the litigation.

Johnston asserts she learned of the wrongdoing in question last month.

"To the plaintiff's absolute horror, she discovered that the defendant Trost has not only been doing this to her little girl, but to other children that were friends and classmates of her child," the suit says.

It adds the girl reported feeling "uncomfortable," "awkward and felt "she was doing something wrong by not enjoying the teacher's touch."

Johnston explains that she complained to campus and school district officials as well as the HISD Police Department, stating the matter drew the attention of Children's Protective Services.

A purported investigation determined that the inappropriate touching "did in fact occur, but did not arise to a level of criminal culpability."

According to the original petition, the complainants "respectfully" disagree as they believe that Trost, who is also a respondent, "acted with ill intent and that his constant touching of impressionable defenseless young children is/was both perverted and salacious and intended for his sexual arousal and/or gratification."

"The defendant Michael Trost has no business having access to impressionable and defenseless young children if he does not have the proper training and judgment to know to keep his hands off the children," it says.

A jury trial is requested.

Attorney Paul H. LaValle of Paul Houston LaValle & Associates PC in Texas City is representing the plaintiffs.

Case No. 4:13-CV-1423