EspañolJohn Baldwin Elementary School Volunteer Angelo Zandona, of Danville, Charged With Sexually Abusing Child
DANVILLE, CALIFORNIA (April 19, 2024) – A former volunteer for John Baldwin Elementary School identified as Angelo Zandona has been charged with sexually abusing a child.
Contra Costa County officials are saying that the defendant pleaded not guilty to two felony counts of child sexual abuse. Angelo Zandona has been released on $250,000 bail.
He has been charged with felony intercourse with a child 10 years of age or younger. Prosecutors have also charged him with oral copulation or sexual penetration of a child 10 years of age or younger.
If convicted of all the charges, Angelo Zandona is facing 25 years to life or longer. The crimes allegedly took place on or around December 30, 2016. The defendant volunteered at John Baldwin Elementary School.
But it remains unclear if the victim attended the school or not. A full investigation remains ongoing at this time.
Liability For San Ramon Valley Unified School District Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse in California schools remains alarmingly common. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, more than 50 Bay Area schools are currently facing sexual abuse lawsuits. It has been estimated that around 10 percent of students will experience sexual abuse by the time they leave high school. Abuse may involve other students or even teachers. Schools should take a number of measures in order to prevent sexual abuse.
- Schools should thoroughly investigate all instances of sexual misconduct.
- Schools should make sure all employees and volunteers undergo school background checks.
- Schools should understand the factors that lead to sexual victimization and predation.
Depending on the facts of any case, a school could be liable if a child in their care is sexually abused. Schools must protect children from reasonably foreseeable sources of harm. This includes protection from sexual abuse involving other students, teachers, faculty, volunteers, and even third parties. Schools must adequately supervise all students in their care and enforce all rules and regulations necessary for their protection.
Consider, for example, Leger v. Stockton Unified School Dist. (1988) 202 Cal. App. 3d 144. A California Court of Appeal considered a case where a student was assaulted by a non-student in a school restroom. Attorneys for the student argued that the school failed to protect the minor plaintiff from the attack. This was true even though they knew or should have known that the restroom was unsafe and attacks were likely to occur. The Court of Appeal sided with the injured student. It is important that certain steps are taken after any instance of sexual abuse.
- It should be determined if the assailant underwent a background check.
- Medical records related to the assault should be preserved.
- A police report of the incident should be created.
- An experienced child sexual abuse attorney should be contacted.
School sexual assaults are rarely isolated incidents. By the time any school official is arrested for sexual assault, there are often many red flags that are missed. Teachers are mandated reporters and have a legal obligation to report all instances of reasonably suspected sexual abuse. But this doesn’t always happen. The family of any child who is sexually abused in school may have legal recourse through a civil claim.
Getting Legal Help After Sexual Abuse At John Baldwin Elementary School
We at the Carrillo Law Firm, LLP, extend our best wishes to all of the people who have been impacted by the actions of Angelo Zandona. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to the police. The authorities should look into the possibility that there may be other victims.
Have you or someone that you care about been impacted by sexual abuse in the San Ramon Valley Unified School District? You may have legal recourse. Our team of sexual abuse attorneys is here to help you. We are committed to helping survivors get justice and holding school districts accountable for their negligence. Whether you just have legal questions or are thinking about hiring an attorney, we may be able to help. You can reach out to us anytime at 626-799-9375.
