Former track athlete files lawsuit against Bay Area high schools over sexual assault

(Steven Lelham)

(LOS GATOS, Calif.) On Thursday, a lawsuit was filed against Los Gatos and Archbishop Mitty high schools alleging negligence after an athlete claimed she was sexually abused by her track coach.

According to KRON 4, Heather Hennessy said Chioke “Chee” Robinson sexually exploited her and other athletes.

Hennessy said the abuse started when she was a freshman at Mitty. Afterward, she transferred to Los Gatos High School to get away from Robinson.

Robinson then followed Hennessy and was hired as an assistant coach for the Los Gatos track team.

When she informed the track team’s head coach about Robinson stalking her, he told her "to run on the other side of the track and not worry about her fears," according to her attorney, Stephen Estey, per KRON 4.

Currently, Robinson is out on bail after being arrested by San Jose police two years ago.

Despite setting national records in the 800-meter sprint in the 90s, Hennessy declined her invitation to attend a Hall of Fame induction ceremony at Los Gatos High.

She said returning to the school would be traumatizing.

In a press conference on Thursday, Hennessy said she spoke out about her abuse after seeing a social media page created by current Los Gatos High students that give sexual assault survivors a space to tell their stories.

“I want it to stop now. These schools and coaches need to take the protection of children, students, athletes serious. I want the culture of sports in these schools to know my story so they do what’s right. I pray that all adults watching this know that kids’ bodies are off-limits,” Hennessy said, per KRON 4.

The Diocese issued the following statement on Thursday:

While the Diocese of San José and Archbishop Mitty High School have not been served with the complaint against Archbishop Mitty High School, we take all and any allegations of abuse seriously and remain resolute in our support for victim-survivors, irrespective of the dates of abuse. We welcome the opportunity to review the complaint, but we are not able to otherwise comment on the litigation at this time. Archbishop Mitty faculty and staff receive child abuse and neglect awareness training as mandated reporters and are aware of their mandatory reporting requirements regarding allegations of child abuse and sexual misconduct.

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