Warning: This story contains disturbing and graphic details of a sexual assault.
A lawsuit against Alpine Valley Resort in Walworth County has been filed in connection with the sexual assault of a 12-year-old child.
According to a lawsuit filed by the 12-year-old girl's attorneys, the girl traveled to Alpine with her sister on Feb. 6 around 3:30 p.m. and needed help snowboarding from an Alpine employee.
The lawsuit alleges the Alpine employee confronted the girl in the parking lot and coerced her into his car. It states when the girl protested his advances he brought her to an isolated area of the parking lot.
According to court documents the area was unlit and lacked security and video surveillance. When the girl refused to get into the backseat, the lawsuit says the employee "pulled her hair, punched her in the back" then raped her.
"Our investigation has revealed that this Alpine employee and others had been to this specific area at the Alpine parking lot before. They drink alcohol there. They'd smoke marijuana there," said attorney Mac Mahony who is representing the child and her mother.
The girl's sister was able to find her using a geolocating app around 6:45 p.m. The sister and two friends traveled to the location and found the employee's vehicle. The lawsuit says the sister opened the door and found the girl and the employee in the backseat. The girl then immediately fled the parking area with her sister.
Attorneys for the girl say Alpine Valley created an unsafe environment by failing to add lighting and/or cameras.
The Racine and Walworth County Sheriff's Offices led an investigation and felony charges were brought against the Alpine employee.
The worker has pleaded not guilty to the criminal charges.
TMJ4 News reached out Alpine Valley for a response but did not hear back.
