JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The family of an autistic girl has filed a lawsuit against Anne Carlsen Center, alleging physical and sexual assault by an employee. The lawsuit, filed earlier this month in Stutsman County District Court, claims negligence on the part of Anne Carlsen in providing child care services.

The family accuses Michael Hunt-Walters, an employee of Anne Carlsen, of abusing their child on November 15, 2019. Hunt-Walters was charged with gross sexual imposition in mid-2020, but the charges were dismissed two months later due to a lack of probable cause.

According to court documents, an officer testified there was no physical evidence of sexual contact and the alleged victim did not indicate Hunt-Walters had any sexual contact with her.

Documents said the victim alleged Hunt-Walters hurt her. The sexual assault exam noted significant bruising and was inconclusive.

According to the Jamestown Police Department, Michael Hunt-Walters was taking care of the girl at a facility operated by the Anne Carlsen Center the day the alleged sexual contact took place.

Stutsman County State’s Attorney Fritz Fremgen reported that the judge said there wasn’t probable cause to approve the charge.

The lawsuit, seeking at least $50,000 in damages, alleges that the abuse occurred while the child, aged less than 10 at the time, was under Hunt-Walters’ care.

The court records related to the criminal case have been sealed.