School Teacher Sexual Abuse

Lawsuit Accuses Leigh High School Teacher of Impregnating Young Student, Forcing Abortion

Published on: April 18, 2024 | By Cerri, Boskovich & Allard, LLP

The law firm of Cerri, Boskovich & Allard has filed a lawsuit against the Campbell Union High School District. The lawsuit alleges that Leigh High School teacher Shawn Thomas impregnated a student in 2003 and forced her to have an abortion. Thomas was arrested last month after the former student disclosed to police that he raped her while she was his student.

Click for a copy of the lawsuit

The lawsuit states that the victim, referred to as Jane Doe, was a freshman at Leigh High in the 2002-2003 school year. Thomas allegedly began grooming her for sexual advances and assaulting her multiple times on school grounds, including in his portable classroom and a storage room in the boys’ locker room. The lawsuit claims that Thomas’s wife Sarah, who was the Dean of Leigh High at the time, discovered the victim with Thomas in his classroom after they had been having sex.

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Emery Unified School District Sued Over Sexual Abuse

Published on: March 18, 2024 | By Cerri, Boskovich & Allard, LLP

The law firm of Cerri, Boskovich & Allard in San Jose announces a sexual abuse lawsuit against the Emery Unified School District over the alleged sexual abuse of a 16-year-old student by a school security guard.

The lawsuit, filed in Alameda County, highlights the failure of Emery High School employees to address the sexual misconduct of security guard Daniel Parham, despite knowledge of his inappropriate sexual behavior with other students. Parham is accused of isolating and assaulting the victim on multiple occasions during the 2023-2024 school year in various locations on school grounds.

This legal action is rooted in the duty of educational institutions to provide a safe environment for students and to prevent harm, especially when there are clear indications of misconduct by staff members that endanger students’ well-being.

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San Francisco Unified School District Settles Two Sexual Abuse Lawsuits for $4.5 million

Published on: March 1, 2024 | By Cerri, Boskovich & Allard, LLP

Two sexual abuse lawsuits against the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) have been settled. The lawsuits involved allegations of sexual abuse by former George Washington High School athletic director Lawrence Young-Yet Chan towards two students, identified as Jane Doe 1 and Jane Doe 2.

According to the lawsuit, the abuse reportedly occurred on the school campus during school hours, in locations like Chan’s office, a locker room, and a stairwell. “School districts have a duty to protect their students and are required to take all reasonable steps to ensure their safety,” attorney Lauren Cerri said.

The SFUSD board of trustees approved the settlement amount following agreements between the insurance carriers, the survivors, and the district. The settlement was reached to spare the survivors from having to retell their stories and to allow them to move forward and start rebuilding their lives.

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San Ramon Valley USD Sexual Assault Lawsuit

Published on: February 29, 2024 | By Cerri, Boskovich & Allard, LLP

A former student from San Ramon Valley High School in Danville has filed a lawsuit against her former theatre arts teacher, Ryan Weible, and the San Ramon Valley Unified School District. The San Jose law firm of Cerri, Boskovich & Allard is representing the victim.

The plaintiff accuses Weible of grooming and sexually abusing her over a decade ago, during the 2010-2011 school year. The lawsuit alleges inappropriate behavior, including hugs, hand massages, students sitting on his lap, and special attention to female students.

Of significant concern is the assertion that despite numerous complaints regarding Weible’s conduct, the school district failed to take appropriate action until 2012. Moreover, the complaint alleges that the district never reported suspicions of child abuse to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC), allowing Weible to continue working with minors. Weible, currently serves as Assistant Head of School for a prestigious Bay Area private school.

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Del Paso Heights teacher charged with sexual abuse of five students

Published on: September 13, 2023 | By Cerri, Boskovich & Allard, LLP

School knew that Wilson was emotionally and verbally abuse with students

Kim Wilson, former teacher at Del Paso Heights and Twin Rivers Unified School District, is now accused of sexually abusing five students, some as young as six to eight-years-old. Some of the charges are supported by video evidence uncovered. The criminal complaint was amended following a lengthy investigation.

On January 23, 2023, Wilson was placed on leave by the District after he was arrested following a former student’s November 2022 report of sexual abuse. The law firm of Cerri, Boskovich & Allard represents the former student in a civil lawsuit filed by attorney Lauren Cerri on her behalf.

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San Francisco Unified School District | Lowell High School Sexual Abuse Lawsuit

Published on: July 26, 2023 | By Cerri, Boskovich & Allard, LLP

The law firm Cerri, Boskovich & Allard has launched a lawsuit against the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) on grounds of alleged childhood sexual abuse. The suit claims that the school district failed to adequately supervise Harlan Edelman, a former teacher and counselor at Lowell High School.

According to the lawsuit, during the academic year 2004-2005, Edelman commenced a process of “grooming” a student, identified as John Doe, to gain his trust with the ultimate goal of sexually exploiting him. Under the pretense of assisting Doe with improving his academic performance, Edelman reportedly offered Doe rides home, meals, and gifts. Allegedly, despite this behavior, school authorities ignored Edelman’s actions. The lawsuit accuses Edelman of abusing Doe on the premises of Lowell High School, including his own office and classroom.

The plaintiff, Doe, was under the impression that Edelman wielded significant influence at Lowell High School and could aid him in achieving his academic ambitions. Lowell High School holds a reputation as one of the top high schools in the nation and consistently ranks among the Top 10 Public Schools in California based on test scores.

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Millbrae teacher Matthew Garrett accused of sexually assaulting students as early as 2007

Published on: June 7, 2023 | By Cerri, Boskovich & Allard, LLP

It is believed that as early as 2007, Taylor Middle School teacher Matthew Garrett was allegedly engaging in sexual misconduct with students. Law enforcement authorities recently revealed that the accused teacher, Matthew Garrett, is now facing charges related to these incidents and others, including a student student who alleged that Garrett molested him between November 2021 and March 2022..

The charges against Matthew Garrett have emerged as a result of an extensive investigation carried out by the police. The probe was initiated following reports from victims who have mustered the courage to come forward with their experiences. These brave individuals provided crucial information, leading to the identification of the accused teacher and the subsequent filing of charges.

Call the law firm of Cerri, Boskovich & Allard if you are a victim of Matthew Garrett. Protect your rights and allow our attorneys to work for your best interests. 408-289-1417.

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Oakland Unified School District sued for sexual abuse of students

Published on: May 9, 2023 | By Cerri, Boskovich & Allard, LLP

Two lawsuits filed in 2022 allege that former Oakland Unified School District teacher William “Skip” Allara sexually abused two students at two different schools. The law firm of Cerri, Boskovich & Allard represents one of the victims.

The first lawsuit was filed in August of 2022 and alleges that Allara sexually abused a student at Jefferson Elementary School in Oakland. The lawsuit claims that the sexual abuse and sexual assault took place during the 1976-1977 time period when the student was 11-years-old.

According to the lawsuit, Allara abused the student in the classroom, the teacher’s bathroom at school, and in his vehicle.

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Sexual abuse lawsuit filed against Twin Rivers Unified School District

Published on: February 1, 2023 | By Cerri, Boskovich & Allard, LLP

Following the sexual misconduct arrest of Del Paso Heights Elementary School teacher Kim Wilson last month, one of his victims is now filing a sexual abuse lawsuit against the Twin Rivers Unified School District.

The San Jose based law firm of Cerri, Boskovich & Allard filed the case in Sacramento County Superior Court on behalf of the now 19-year-old victim.

The lawsuit states that the school district failed in its legal duty to properly screen and supervise Wilson. Wilson, alleges the lawsuit, engaged in highly visible grooming activities and used his role as the head of the school’s broadcast group to isolate the victim in a locked, windowless, padded sound proof room.

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Alum Rock Union School District music teacher facing sexual abuse charges; 10+ possible victims

Published on: November 29, 2022 | By Cerri, Boskovich & Allard, LLP

A music teacher at Adelante Dual Language Academy, Alum Rock Union School District, is facing multiple sexual abuse charges following his arrest. Israel Santiago, a music teacher, is accused of inappropriately touching at least ten students in the band room. Adelante Dual Language Academy is a transitional kindergarten through 8th grade school in East San Jose.

San Jose police said a similar allegation was made against Santiago in 2014 at another Alum Rock School District school, but no charges were ever filed. Santiago was then moved to Adelante Academy.

This case has many similarities to a case that just resulted in a $102 million jury verdict against the Union School District. In both of these cases, it appears the music instructors were isolated from the rest of the school and lacked proper supervision. And in both cases, it appears that there were several “red flag” warnings that could have stopped the abuse of students.

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