HAMPTON - Officials representing the Hampton-Dumont School District on Wednesday denied any wrongdoing in the way they handled information about an allegation of sex abuse involving a staff member and a student.

Judge Bryan McKinley heard testimony from 11 witnesses in Franklin County District Court and will rule on a request by the alleged victim's mother for an injunction to prevent school officials and employees from discussing the case.

The matter started with an alleged encounter between Tyler Radcliffe, a teaching assistant and assistant coach, and a 14-year-old girl. Radcliffe, 21, is charged with third-degree sexual abuse and sexual exploitation by a school employee.

A criminal case developed after school officials met with the girl's mother in October and reported the incident. The girl reportedly went to Radcliffe's apartment in August.

The girl's mother named the school district, board member Scott Sackville and teacher Liz Carr in a civil suit, accusing them of circulating her daughter's name.

Superintendent Todd Lettow testified the girl's mother contacted and he then notified school board members Radcliffe was on administrative leave. On the witness stand, Lettow also explained steps he took in gathering information and notifying law enforcement officials.

Sackville testified Lettow told him only the basics about the allegation against Radcliffe.

"I was told he had oral sex with a student. A student - not whether it was a male or female - a student," Sackville said.

Sackville, however, admitted he shared the information with his wife because they have a son who goes to school in the building where Radcliffe worked.

Brian Miller, the plaintiff's attorney, questioned him about keeping the matter confidential.

"I don't believe my wife is the public," Sackville said. "Inside my house is not the public."

The lawsuit alleges Michelle Sackville, Scott Sackville's wife, discussed the case with Liz Carr, a teacher. Carr and Michelle Sackville denied that claim under oath.

The girl's mother also took the stand, explaining how she learned about the incident and how talk in the community affected her daughter.

"I have watched a young outgoing girl who regularly had a smile on her face now look worried. She has nightmares and has very, very low self esteem," the woman testified.

Attorney Beth Hansen of Waterloo is representing the school district and argued much of the public's knowledge of the case came from the family itself.

"The alleged victim told fellow students two days after it happened," Hansen said. "The mother has told her friends."

Hansen also said filing the court case also brought public scrutiny.

"It is clear the disclosure of this is from sources unrelated to the school district," Hansen said.

Judge McKinley gave attorneys until Monday to file final related briefs in the case.

Contact Bob Link at bob.link@globegazette.com.