Former Lawrence speech therapist deemed competent to stand trial

LAWRENCE, Kan. (KCTV) - A former Lawrence elementary school speech pathologist is ordered to stand trial after allegedly sexually abusing a child at the school.

A psychologist deemed Mark E. Gridley, 61, competent to stand trial and aid in his own defense according to online court records from a hearing on May 8.

Gridley is charged with one count of aggravated indecent liberties with a child under the age of 14. He is also charged with one count of kidnapping.

Gridley could face additional charges in the future. Lawrence Police said detectives found evidence that Gridley sexually abused a total of eight students at Prairie Park Elementary School over two days in February.

The Lawrence School District fired Gridley after his arrest. He is being held in the Douglas County Jail on a $1.5 million bond.

Some parents with students who attend Prairie Park Elementary have asked the school district to hire an outside agency to audit the district’s safety protocols and procedures.

The family of a six-year-old student Gridley is accused of abusing is suing Lawrence Public Schools of being negligent when employing and supervising Gridley.

The lawsuit also states that “the defendant had a duty of reasonable care to properly supervise the plaintiff and to protect the plaintiff from abusive acts and/or sexually inappropriate by its employees, such as Gridley.”

The Lawrence School District has said it does not comment on pending litigation.

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