CLEVELAND, Ohio — A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by a former Buchtel High School student who was the victim of sexual battery by a teacher.

U.S. District Judge John Adams wrote in an order Tuesday that the statute of limitations to bring the suit against Laura Lynn Cross and the Akron and Tallmadge school district officials was two years. The student’s lawsuit was filed after that timeframe expired, the judge said.

Adams, whose courtroom is in Akron, dismissed civil rights and federal education law violation claims.

The student filed suit in August and said administrators knew about the relationship between he and Cross, which progressed from meeting when the student was in sixth grade to having sex. Cross also obtained partial custody of him.

However, school administrators did not take action, the suit said.

Cross, 38, became pregnant with the plaintiff’s child during the course of their relationship and gave birth in December 2015.

She pleaded guilty in March 2018 to three counts of sexual battery and was sentenced to three years in prison. Summit County Common Pleas Judge Tammy O’Brien granted Cross judicial release on March 14 and placed her on probation for two years.

Cleveland.com is withholding the name of the plaintiff, who is now 21 years old, because he is a victim of a sex crime.

Adams wrote in Tuesday’s ruling that the U.S. Supreme Court has said the statute of limitations for a state’s personal injury law should apply to federal civil rights claims. A federal appeals court over Ohio also said that applies to claims that federal education laws were violated.

While an Ohio law amended in 2006 gives the victims of child sexual abuse until age 30 to file lawsuits for state law violations, the state’s personal injury law only has a two-year statute of limitations.

Adams did not rule on the merits of any of the claims made by the former student. He dismissed the lawsuit without prejudice, meaning the man could re-file in state court.

Attorney Konrad Kircher said he plans to re-file his client’s case in Summit County. He also said he intends to appeal Adams’ decision, as other courts have come to different conclusions regarding statutes of limitation in child abuse cases.

“The reason the Ohio legislature passed a longer statute of limitations for state claims (regarding child sexual abuse) is because children suffered from shame and humiliation and things that prevent them from addressing their legal claims on time,” Kircher said.

A spokesman for Akron Public Schools declined comment. The superintendent of the Tallmadge City School District did not respond to an email.

This story was updated to note Cross’ release from prison.

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