New lawsuit alleges Hilton principal abused child over 3-year span, accuses district of negligence

HILTON, N.Y. (WHEC) — The Hilton elementary school principal accused of sexually abusing multiple students over several years faces another lawsuit filed by an alleged victim.

The lawsuit, filed on Monday, accuses Northwood Elementary School Principal Kirk Ashton of sexually abusing a child over a span of three years dating back to 2017.

Also named in the lawsuit are the Hilton Central School District, and current Superintendent Casey Kosiorek.

Ashton has been on administrative leave as the principal of Northwood Elementary School since April 8. He was arrested on April 14 and charged with multiple felony counts.

The lawsuit is the latest one filed, with the allegations mirroring other suits which accuse Ashton of touching young boys on a daily basis while inside his office. It accuses Kosiorek., and the district of failing to uphold their duty to protect the child, and other children.

This latest lawsuit says Ashton began the abuse while the child was in second grade up into the fourth grade.

The family is asking for roughly $10 million in damages, citing the emotional trauma and humiliation caused by the alleged incidents.

The district denied comment to News10NBC, saying it does not weigh in on litigation.

Ashton pleaded not guilty to more than 25 counts of various sex abuse charges, including seven counts of a second-degree pattern of sexual conduct with children, and seven counts of first-degree sexual abuse, both felonies. He’s also charged with 11 counts of misdemeanor endangering children.

A subsequent indictment unsealed in June included another 15 victims and 28 new charges, including sexual abuse, course of sexual conduct against a child, and endangering the welfare of a child.

Ashton remains in the Niagara County Jail.