On the second anniversary of her death, the parents of Jennifer Cobb have filed a civil lawsuit against her alleged attacker and the Bell Family YMCA in Hartwell.
Jennifer’s mother Susan Cobb, issued a brief statement this week stating their civil attorneys have filed a lawsuit against Jeremy Leonard Green and the Bell Family Branch YMCA.
Wayne Cobb filed the complaint on June 30, exactly two years after his daughter died.
Jennifer’s parents say they believe their daughter’s death is related to years of sexual abuse on the part of Green though he has only been indicted for alleged crimes in 2015.
Green was arrested in June 2021 and later indicted on August 17, 2021.
The six-count indictment alleges Green molested and raped “a teenage girl under the age of 16 from July 2015 to November 2015.” That girl was later identified as Jennifer Cobb.
Green was released on a $250,000 bond. He has pled not guilty. His attorneys have motioned for his trial to be moved out of Hart County because of pre-trial publicity. So far, a trial date has not been set.
In her statement this week, Susan Cobb said the civil action is to hold accountable those responsible for the unimaginable harm inflicted upon Jennifer during her childhood, by Green, her YMCA gymnastics coach.
In the complaint, their attorney Kara Phillips said the Cobbs are, “seeking justice for the devastating consequences of the abuse and the YMCA’s persistent indifference to the safety of its young gymnasts.”
Phillips said the family of Jennifer Cobb is asking for, “compensatory damages, punitive damages, attorneys’ fees and costs, and any other relief deemed proper by the Court.”
Additionally, in the complaint, the Cobbs blame the YMCA for, “unfettered access provided to Green by the YMCA Piedmont, enabled Green to groom and sexually abuse Jennifer beginning when she was 11 years old. The abuse continued and escalated over time and eventually led to Jennifer’s realization that she was a victim. However, the damage had already been done, manifesting in psychological trauma, self-harming behaviors, and a tragic loss of life.”
“This tragic case highlights the importance of education about grooming and sexual abuse, proper policies and procedures, and immediate action to prevent child sexual abuse and protect the well-being of young athletes in organizations entrusted with their care,” the complaint concludes.
Since Jennifer’s death, the Cobb’s have been campaigning to make parents aware of the signs that their child is being groomed by a predator.
In her statement this week, Susan Cobb encourages victims and relatives of victims to contact her or their attorney, Kara Phillips, if they believe they or their loved one was sexually groomed, raped, or sexually assaulted by Green or victimized at the Bell Family Branch YMCA.
Phillips can be reached via the law firm of Deitch & Rogers, LLC at 770-394-9000.