Lawsuit: Emery Unified Ignored Red Flags as Security Guard Allegedly Abused Multiple Students

Two former Emery High School students have filed a civil lawsuit in Alameda County Superior Court against the Emery Unified School District and former security guard Daniel Parham, alleging sexual abuse on school grounds from 2022–2023.

The plaintiffs, identified in court filings as minors Jane Doe 1 and Jane Doe 2, claim Parham abused his position of trust and authority to groom and sexually exploit them over extended periods.

According to the complaint, Jane Doe 1 endured at least 50 sexual assaults by Parham on school property between May and November 2023. School officials reportedly knew that Parham accompanied her to the school prom.

Jane Doe 2 alleges a pattern of grooming behaviors on campus that led to sexual abuse, including unwanted touching during “play fighting,” inappropriate rides home, sexual comments about her body, and groping of her breasts and buttocks.  Rumors were rampant during the time that Parham was inappropriately touching minor female students.

The lawsuit claims that the abuse was not isolated. Parham is accused of sexually assaulting several other female students, including a third student referenced in a related case (Civil Action No. 24CV067742), whom he allegedly molested on at least three occasions on school grounds in the fall of 2023.

The complaint further alleges that multiple Emery High School employees, including teachers, coaches, and a principal, observed or were aware of blatant red flags as early as the 2022-2023 school year. Despite widespread rumors among students and staff, the District allegedly failed to investigate, supervise, intervene, or discipline Parham.

Parham was terminated in November 2023 after a police report was filed by a minor female student.  He faced criminal charges and, in 2025, entered a no-contest plea to statutory rape charges, receiving probation and community service.

“School should be a safe place for students to learn and grow—not where trusted adults exploit vulnerable minors,” said attorney Robert Allard. “The school’s failure to act on clear warning signs allowed this abuse to continue for far too long and irreparably harmed multiple young women.”