Former Child Star Raquel Lee Sues Disney Over Alleged Sexual Assault at 14

Former child actress Raquel Lee Bolleau has sued The Walt Disney Company, alleging the company failed to protect her from repeated sexual assault by an employee while she was 14 and filming the 2001 Disney Channel movie The Poof Point.

Bolleau, who performed under the name Raquel Lee, filed the civil lawsuit Aug. 21 in Los Angeles County Superior Court. The lawsuit accuses Disney of failing to protect and properly supervise her while she was working on the film.

The employee is identified only as John Doe. Bolleau alleges he gave her alcohol and sexually assaulted her several times while the production was filming in Salt Lake City. She also claims he assaulted her during a flight back to California.

Bolleau claims other people working on the production saw or could have heard signs of the employee’s alleged conduct. She says he made sexual remarks about her body, repeatedly sought physical contact with her, and made inappropriate comments while other members of the cast and crew were nearby. Some of those remarks could also have been heard by technicians monitoring microphones worn by performers, the complaint states.

Bolleau also alleges Disney personnel encouraged her to spend time with the employee and separated her from her guardian for much of the workday. She claims the company failed to provide adequate supervision despite her age and the circumstances surrounding the production.

Her behavior and health allegedly changed as filming continued. According to the complaint, Bolleau went from being prepared and energetic on set to becoming exhausted, physically ill, and increasingly unable to remember her lines. She claims adults working on the movie noticed those changes but did not investigate whether she was being harmed.

The filing further alleges Disney executives blamed Bolleau for her declining performance and behavior. She claims she was described as being “out of control” and that another Disney role planned for her was later canceled.

Bolleau later continued working with Disney, voicing Nubia Gross on The Proud Family and returning to the role in the Disney+ revival The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder.

Bolleau’s negligence claim focuses on Disney’s own supervision of the production. Negligent supervision examines whether an employer used reasonable care in overseeing workers and responding to risks. A company can face liability when it knew or reasonably should have known someone posed a risk and failed to take reasonable steps to prevent harm. Bolleau points to the employee’s alleged conduct around other adults, her separation from her guardian, and the changes in her condition as signs that she claims should have prompted Disney to act.

The lawsuit was filed about 25 years after the alleged assaults. California gives people additional time to bring civil claims over sexual assault they experienced before turning 18.

For childhood sexual assault that occurred before Jan. 1, 2024, California generally allows a lawsuit to be filed within 22 years after the survivor turns 18 or within five years after the person discovers or reasonably should have discovered that an adult psychological injury was caused by the assault, whichever period ends later. The law also applies to claims against companies and other organizations accused of breaching a duty of care that contributed to the abuse. Bolleau is now 39.

She is seeking compensation for alleged emotional harm and economic losses, along with punitive damages, attorney fees, and other costs. The complaint also requests a jury trial.

Disney had not publicly responded to the allegations as of Monday.