Arias Sanguinetti is investigating allegations of sexual misconduct by a former art teacher at Riverside Preparatory School in the Oro Grande School District. Through our ongoing investigation, we have uncovered reports from multiple students and witnesses describing conduct that violated appropriate boundaries with minors.
These accounts span approximately 2012 to 2022, with many of the reported incidents concentrated in 2017-2018. The teacher is no longer employed, but serious questions remain about how this behavior continued for years – and what more could have been done to protect students.
We are actively gathering information to uncover the full truth. Survivors, parents, and witnesses are encouraged to contact us today, even if they are unsure whether what they experienced or saw qualifies as abuse.
Reports Our Legal Team Has Received
Our investigation has identified multiple accounts of a art teacher at Riverside Preparatory School:
- Inappropriately touching students on the hands, back, shoulders, head or hair, sides, or hips
- Pulling a student close by their shirt
- Using sexualized or overly familiar language such as “Cute,” “Honey,” “Sweetie,” “Beautiful,” and “Pretty”
- Telling at least one student to “Be a good girl”
- Threatening or stating an intent to “spank” students
In addition, local media has reported other troubling allegations involving a different teacher at Riverside Preparatory School. According to ABC7, that teacher was accused of taking photos of a student from under a desk. While this is a separate matter, it underscores broader concerns about student safety at the school and the importance of thoroughly investigating any reports of misconduct.
The District’s Responsibility to Protect Students
School districts have a legal and moral duty to create a safe learning environment and protect students from foreseeable harm by employees. This duty includes:
- Screening and vetting staff before hiring
- Monitoring teacher conduct in the classroom
- Investigating concerns promptly and thoroughly
- Acting to prevent further harm once misconduct is suspected
When a district fails in these responsibilities, it can be held legally accountable. The principle of respondeat superior holds employers responsible for the actions of employees when those actions occur in the scope of their duties. In other words, when a school district fails to act, we can hold them accountable.
Why Arias Sanguinetti Is Investigating
Our attorneys have decades of experience representing survivors of abuse in school settings, including high-profile and complex cases against public entities. We know these cases require careful, trauma-informed handling and the persistence to overcome institutional resistance.
We also know that many abuse cases hinge on uncovering patterns of complaints, prior warnings, and systemic failures that may not be visible at first. Whether you are a survivor of abuse at Riverside Preparatory School or a witness, our team of sexual abuse attorneys wants to speak with you.
How Survivors, Parents, and Witnesses Can Help
Your account could be a key part of understanding the full scope of what happened at Riverside Preparatory School. We encourage you to reach out if you:
- Experienced inappropriate conduct by the teacher between 2012 and 2022
- Witnessed inappropriate touching, comments, or threats
- Heard students discuss similar incidents
- Worked at the school and have information about earlier complaints or concerns
Even if you are unsure whether your experience “counts” as abuse, we can help you understand your rights. There is absolutely no excuse for making sexual comments towards students or touching minors inappropriately. All consultations are free, confidential, and without obligation.
Talking to Your Child About Potential Misconduct at School
Many of the students who may have been affected by this misconduct are now around 18 years old – old enough to make their own decisions about taking legal action, but still young enough to need guidance and support from trusted adults.
If you are a parent or guardian, having an open, non-judgmental conversation can make all the difference. It’s vital to uncover what took place. If you’re unsure of how to approach that conversation, start by:
- Creating a safe space. Choose a private, comfortable setting and let your child know you are there to listen without judgment.
- Asking open-ended questions. Instead of “Did something happen?”, try “How did you feel about your experience in that class?” or “Was there ever a time you felt uncomfortable at school?”
- Validate their feelings. Whether they feel angry, embarrassed, or uncertain, reassure them that their emotions are normal and valid.
- Avoid pressuring them. Make it clear they can share as much or as little as they want, and that the decision to take next steps is theirs.
- Offer information. Let them know there are legal and counseling resources available, and that they have a right to speak with an attorney confidentially.
For some young adults, hearing from a trusted parent that what happened to them was not their fault can be the first step toward healing – and toward holding those responsible accountable.
Why Accountability Matters in This Case
Accountability in cases like this is not only about justice for those who were harmed – it is also about prevention. When school districts are held responsible for failing to protect students, it sends a clear message that misconduct will not be ignored or minimized. Pursuing legal action can expose systemic failures, drive policy changes, and create safer environments where students feel empowered to speak up if something is wrong. It can also deter future misconduct by making it clear there are serious consequences for failing to protect children.
For survivors, accountability can bring validation and closure. For the community, it can help ensure that no student has to endure similar harm in the future.
Time Limits for Taking Legal Action
Under California’s Age 40 Rule in AB 218, survivors of childhood sexual assault can file a civil claim any time before their 40th birthday. The linked page includes a video explaining these laws. The law also includes a discovery clause, which allows survivors to act later if they only recently recognized the harm caused by the abuse.
Although the law gives survivors significant time, taking action sooner often makes it easier to locate witnesses, preserve evidence, and move the case forward efficiently.
What Damages Could Be Recovered?
Survivors of sexual misconduct in schools may be entitled to compensation for:
- Therapy and counseling costs, both past and future
- Emotional distress and harm to quality of life
- Medical expenses related to the abuse
- Educational setbacks caused by trauma or missed schooling
- Punitive damages to hold the district accountable and deter similar conduct
Financial compensation can provide resources for healing, while legal action can bring long-overdue accountability.
Understanding Why Students May Not Speak Up Right Away
In cases like this, many survivors do not come forward until years later – sometimes only after reaching adulthood. At the time of the misconduct, these students were children, often just 10 or 11 years old. When an adult in a position of authority behaves inappropriately, it can be deeply confusing for a child. Teachers are trusted figures, and young students are taught to follow their instructions. This power imbalance can make harmful behavior feel “normal” or something they are not allowed to question. This can be especially true if the misconduct was confined to the classroom.
For some, the realization that what happened was wrong only comes years later, when they are old enough to see the conduct for what it was. Others may have felt something was wrong at the time but were afraid of being disbelieved, getting in trouble, or facing retaliation. This is why it is so important to create an environment where young people feel safe to speak openly and seek help.
Choosing the Right Legal Team
Cases involving sexual misconduct in schools require more than legal skill – they demand experience, sensitivity, and a commitment to seeing a case through to the end. Arias Sanguinetti’s trial lawyers bring:
- Decades of courtroom experience, giving us leverage in negotiations and the skills to prevail at trial
- A broad skill set for complex litigation, including cases with delayed discovery and multiple liable parties
- Extensive resources, allowing us to pursue resource-intensive cases like this one without compromise
We work on a contingency basis — you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
Take the First Step Today
Our investigation into the Riverside Preparatory School teacher sexual misconduct allegations is ongoing. Each account we receive helps us build a clearer picture of what happened and how to hold the district accountable.
If you or your child attended Riverside Preparatory School between 2012 and 2022 and experienced or witnessed inappropriate conduct by a teacher, contact us today. Speaking with an attorney does not commit you to legal action – it simply ensures you understand your options.
Contact us today for your free, confidential consultation.