A second lawsuit has been filed on behalf of one of the girls allegedly victimized by the former Plymouth Center School teacher who has been accused of sexually abusing students.

The lawsuit, filed in New Britain Superior Court on behalf of an unnamed child and adult, names the Town of Plymouth, the Plymouth Board of Education, former principal Chrystal Collins and James Eschert as defendants.

Eschert, who parted ways with the school district during a lengthy police investigation, has pleaded not guilty to five felony counts of risk of injury to a minor and two misdemeanor counts of fourth-degree sexual assault. Police allege he fondled and caressed some of his female students, in addition to sometimes touching himself over his clothes in the presence of minors, according to court documents.

A police investigation launched against Eschert in 2021 revealed multiple staff members at Plymouth Center School were made aware over several years of allegations involving inappropriate behavior by Eschert, who primarily taught the third and fourth grades. According to court papers, the allegations only came to light in 2021 after a former student of Eschert, once she was older, shared the accusations with the principal of Eli Terry Middle School, who contacted the Connecticut Department of Children and Families.

The civil complaint, filed by Attorney Timothy O’Keefe, seeks “compensatory damages,” “punitive damages” and “further legal or equitable relief” that the court deems necessary. It does not cite a specific amount.

According to the 17-page lawsuit, the plaintiff was a student of Eschert’s about five years ago and contends that the former Plymouth Center School teacher “sexually abused,” “sexually assaulted” and “sexually exploited” her at the school. The complaint contends that Eschert’s alleged behavior was “known or should have been known” by school staff and administrators, including Collins, who was the principal of the school from 2004-2019.

A judge in New Britain Superior Court last week granted a stay in connection with the lawsuit until the criminal matters against Eschert and Collins have been resolved. Collins has been charged with one count of failure to report abuse, neglect or injury of a child or imminent risk of serious harm to a child. Judicial records indicate she has applied for a diversionary program and is due back in court next month.

The civil complaint filed in the New Britain courthouse is the second lawsuit to be brought against Eschert and the other defendants by an alleged victim. The other is pending in Waterbury Superior Court.

Plymouth Mayor Joseph Kilduff on Wednesday said he could not comment on pending litigation but reemphasized comments issued previously concerning the top priority of town officials.

“The safety of our children is our top priority,” Kilduff said.

The Plymouth superintendent did not immediately return a request for comment.

Attorneys representing Collins and Eschert could not be reached for comment Wednesday.