Humble grad's federal lawsuit claims coach made her a 'sexual toy'

The suit accuses Amanda Feenstra, former Humble High dance and drill team instructor, of sexually abusing a girl repeatedly. (Humble ISD police) The suit accuses Amanda Feenstra, former Humble High dance and drill team instructor, of sexually abusing a girl repeatedly. (Humble ISD police) Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Humble grad's federal lawsuit claims coach made her a 'sexual toy' 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

A former dance coach at Humble High School who pleaded guilty to an improper relationship with a student has been sued in federal court, along with other school officials, by the girl and her mother.

The woman and her daughter, A.W., filed the suit Dec. 4 in U.S. District Court in Houston, alleging that the girl was sexually abused repeatedly and is likely emotionally scarred for life.

The suit names former dance and drill team instructor Amanda M. Feenstra, Humble Independent School District, district superintendent Guy Sconzo, Humble High School principal Charles Ned, assistant principal Tammy McHale, counselor Alicia Narcisse and then-assistant principals Juan Melendez and Craig Stowers.

A school spokeswoman said by email Friday that the district does not comment on pending litigation.

Feenstra pleaded guilty Oct. 23 and received 10 years deferred adjudication, including 250 hours community service.

A.W., who has since graduated, began dancing with the school's dance team in her freshman year, 2007-08.

In March 2009, the school began a search for a new lead dance instructor, with Feenstra among the potential hires.

During the search, while Feenstra was watching video of A.W. performing, school officials noticed her "unusual and bizarre admiration of certain of A.W.'s physical features," the complaint states.

As soon as Feenstra took over the dance team, she told A.W., then age 16, that she had to spend most of her after-school time with Feenstra.

"This was the beginning of the maniupulation and isolation that Feenstra used to gain A.W.'s trust and confidence," the complaint states.

Feenstra managed to convince the mother to allow the girl to visit her routinely at home and later began picking up the girl from home to take her to and from school, dance practice and competitions, the suit states.

Eventually, Feenstra convinced the girl to move into her house with her and her husband, with the mother's reluctant agreement, according to court documents.

Not long after that, "Feenstra began her sadistic plan of turning A.W. into Feenstra's sexual toy," the complaint states.

The girl stayed in the guest bedroom, where Feenstra would have sex with A.W. at will when her husband was out of town, the suit states.

On many occasions, the complaint alleges, Feenstra insisted that the girl have sex with her at school, including in Feenstra's office and on the dance room floor.

Other students and parents repeatedly complained about the unusual relationship, but school officials did nothing to investigate it or stop it, despite the "inordinately excessive" amount of time the girl spent in the coach's office with the door closed, the suit states.

School officials knew the girl had moved into Feenstra's home but did nothing to investigate, the suit alleges.

After graduating, A.W. initially thought she had escaped Feenstra's control but the coach continued to call, text and stalk her, the complaint alleges.

Eventually, the girl spoke to another former dance instructor, who reported the matter. Feenstra was arrested in March.

The plaintiffs, who are represented by attorney Aubrey "Nick" Pittman of Dallas, are seeking a jury trial and unspecified damages.