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Lawsuit Filed Against Valley Christian High School Exposing the School's Role in Todd Baldwin Photo Exploitation Case
The Law Firm of Cerri, Boskovich & Allard filed a lawsuit late yesterday against Valley Christian Schools alleging that it turned a blind eye to the exploitation of students by former Valley Christian High School (“VCHS”) Operations Manager Todd Baldwin.
According to the lawsuit, Baldwin conducted in-person photoshoots with former student John Doe in his office at VCHS and took sexually explicit photographs of the student posing nude and in suggestive poses then allegedly sold the photos online.
The lawsuit claims that the school did not supervise Baldwin or the victim of the photo pornography scheme.
According to the complaint, Baldwin engaged in inappropriate student interactions by openly allowing students to spend time in his office during instructional hours when they should have been in class.
"This was a huge red flag," attorney Lauren Cerri said. “This kid had a major attendance problem and would frequently be observed by staff in Baldwin's office instead of in class. No one said or did a thing about it."
When John Doe was in class, the lawsuit states that Baldwin would frequently request the student leave class under the guise of conducting “Teacher’s Assistant” for Baldwin, work which was outside the purpose of Baldwin’s employment.
Baldwin's position as operations manager did not require him to have direct interaction with students, the lawsuit states. The complaint also alleges that Baldwin allowed students to drink alcohol and smoke marijuana in his office.
"Valley Christian betrayed this student and his parents’ trust", Cerri said. "They had a legal duty of care to keep him safe and they failed to do so by not properly supervising him or Baldwin. The lack of proper oversight created an environment where such abuse could occur on campus undetected."
Baldwin faces potential life imprisonment on federal charges of enticing two minors to produce child pornography.
Read more at the San Jose Mercury News.
According to the lawsuit, Baldwin conducted in-person photoshoots with former student John Doe in his office at VCHS and took sexually explicit photographs of the student posing nude and in suggestive poses then allegedly sold the photos online.
The lawsuit claims that the school did not supervise Baldwin or the victim of the photo pornography scheme.
According to the complaint, Baldwin engaged in inappropriate student interactions by openly allowing students to spend time in his office during instructional hours when they should have been in class.
"This was a huge red flag," attorney Lauren Cerri said. “This kid had a major attendance problem and would frequently be observed by staff in Baldwin's office instead of in class. No one said or did a thing about it."
When John Doe was in class, the lawsuit states that Baldwin would frequently request the student leave class under the guise of conducting “Teacher’s Assistant” for Baldwin, work which was outside the purpose of Baldwin’s employment.
Baldwin's position as operations manager did not require him to have direct interaction with students, the lawsuit states. The complaint also alleges that Baldwin allowed students to drink alcohol and smoke marijuana in his office.
"Valley Christian betrayed this student and his parents’ trust", Cerri said. "They had a legal duty of care to keep him safe and they failed to do so by not properly supervising him or Baldwin. The lack of proper oversight created an environment where such abuse could occur on campus undetected."
Baldwin faces potential life imprisonment on federal charges of enticing two minors to produce child pornography.
Read more at the San Jose Mercury News.
