The family of a 10-year-old girl who was allegedly abused by her public school teacher is suing the city for $1.1 million, claiming officials could have prevented the horrific incidents.
In the “Jane Doe” Manhattan civil suit, the victim’s family blames the Department of Education for failing to supervise disgraced former P.S. 208 teacher Rafael Sosa, 30.
Court papers say the Harlem school officials knew Sosa was spending significant time alone with the then-3rd grader, including pulling her from gym class and showering her with gifts.
The suit says the abuse included inappropriate touching at the W. 111th Street school and at school-sponsored activities off campus. Sosa also allegedly contacted the student by phone and over the Internet.
Sosa was charged with felony sex abuse for allegedly improperly touching the girl, but was convicted by a jury only on a lesser charge of endangering the welfare of a child.
During court proceedings, Sosa’s attorney insisted his client was just “an overzealous teacher who was trying to do the best he could for this family and went overboard.”
The lawyer, Jonathan Sims, said he never laid a hand on the girl.
Sosa was sentenced last June to the maximum of one year in jail.
The brave victim spoke at Sosa’s sentencing — with the ex-teacher sitting less than five feet away.
“The last time he touched me I cried because he hurt me so much,” the little girl said, as her mother stood by her side weeping.
“He’s an ugly, evil monster and should go to jail for a long time.”
The civil suit says the child suffered “sexual, physical, and psychological abuse” and did not leave her bed for days.
The Manhattan district attorney’s office claimed Sosa, 31, instructed his pupil to write him daily love letters and call him “Daddy.”
Before his sentencing, Sosa offered a meager apology, saying, “I’m sincerely sorry for all of this.” Emotionless, he looked directly at the judge and added, “I respect the jury’s decision and I hope you’ll have some mercy.”
But the judge wasn’t swayed, calling Sosa “every parent’s greatest fear.”
Sosa was hired in 2007 and worked at P.S. 90 in The Bronx before transferring to the Harlem school in 2009.
The city’s Law Department declined to comment citing the pending litigation.