Sunrise Christian Academy and P.E. Teacher Named in Lawsuit Over Alleged Child Abuse

A civil lawsuit filed in August accuses David Yordy, a physical education teacher at Sunrise Christian Academy in Bel Aire, Kansas, of sexually abusing an eight-year-old student. The suit also names the private school as a defendant, alleging that the institution failed to protect the child and neglected its duty to conduct a meaningful investigation into Yordy’s conduct. Yordy, who had been employed by the school for 19 years, is alleged to have used his position to groom the minor, according to the legal filing.

The complaint details specific behaviors attributed to Yordy, including attempts to isolate the girl and arrange private time with her outside of school hours. The lawsuit describes proposals to read to her in her bedroom and to place a stone over the trap door of her treehouse to ensure privacy. These actions are characterized in the petition as part of a pattern of grooming that allegedly culminated in sexual abuse on one or more occasions.

A specific incident from December 2025 during a physical education class is cited in the suit. A photograph referenced in the legal document allegedly shows Yordy positioning the eight-year-old on his lap, facing him, with her legs straddling him. The petition describes this posture as one of overt physical and sexual intimacy that an adult entrusted with a child’s care could not permit for any innocent purpose.

The lawsuit further accuses Sunrise Christian Academy of failing to report the alleged abuse as required by law and of not investigating Yordy’s conduct toward other children in its care. The girl’s family reported the incident to the Bel Aire Police Department, which referred the case to the Sedgwick County Exploited and Missing Children’s Unit.

On Wednesday, the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the investigation has been referred to the district attorney’s office. The DA’s office stated that it completed an initial review of the case on August 28 and that the matter remains under review. No criminal charges have been announced in the provided source material, and the legal status of the case is currently limited to the civil suit and the ongoing review by the district attorney.

In response to the lawsuit, school administration shared a statement with families acknowledging that the school has been named in a civil lawsuit. The statement noted that the school is working with legal counsel to follow appropriate steps through the legal process. High School Principal and Associate Superintendent Dr. Sam Morris indicated that the school has no further comment at this time.

The gravity of failing to protect vulnerable minors echoes the biblical call to justice and care for the defenseless, as seen in Proverbs 31:8-9, which urges leaders to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves. In matters involving the safety of children, the pursuit of truth and accountability is not merely a legal obligation but a moral imperative rooted in the love for one’s neighbor and the duty to uphold righteousness.

Source: Read the original report