EspañolLos Angeles County School Teacher Colleen Jo Matarico Accused of Sexually Abusing 13-Year-Old Student
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA (November 12, 2024) – A Los Angeles County school district teacher identified as Colleen Matarico has been arrested for alleged sexual misconduct with a minor student.
Los Angeles County officials are saying that the defendant first met the victim when he was 12. The alleged abuse lasted for over a year when the boy turned 13.
Colleen Matarico is facing seven counts of committing lewd acts on a minor. Prosecutors claim that she groomed the student and provided him with marijuana.
Colleen Matarico served as a teacher in the area for 24 years prior to being arrested. The LAPD is currently looking into the possibility that there may be additional victims.
A full investigation into all of the allegations remains ongoing at this time.
Liability For Los Angeles County Student Sexual Abuse
Los Angeles County has a long history of sexual abuse across various public institutions. This has led to record levels of sexual abuse claims against the county. But the problem is much more widespread than LAUSD. According to NEA Today, “there were 14,938 incidents of sexual violence in K–12 schools in 2017 – 2018 compared with 9,649 in 2015 – 2016, representing a 55 percent increase. These include incidents of rape or attempted rape and sexual assault.” Schools should take a number of measures in order to prevent abuse.
- School officials should be trained to recognize the signs of sexual abuse.
- Schools should understand the factors that lead to sexual victimization and predation.
- Schools should ensure that all school employees undergo thorough background checks.
Schools have a legal obligation to protect students from reasonably foreseeable sources of harm. To that end, students must be properly supervised at all times of the day. Consider, for example, Taylor v. Oakland Scavenger Co., 17 Cal. 2d 594 [110 P.2d 1044], “It is the duty of the school authorities to supervise at all times the conduct of the children on the school grounds and to enforce those rules and regulations necessary to their protection.” There are many reasons that a school may have failed to protect students from sexual abuse.
- School officials may have failed to report misconduct.
- School officials may not have enforced safeguarding procedures designed to prevent abuse.
- School officials may have failed to remove a teacher who posed an unreasonable danger to students.
Sexual abuse is one of the most harmful and destructive experiences that a child can go through. Victims of abuse are more likely to suffer long-term psychological trauma, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Unfortunately, schools almost never accept responsibility when one of their teachers abuses a student. This is why it is so important that victims of sexual abuse seek legal guidance as early as possible.
Investigating Los Angeles County Student Sexual Abuse
We at the Carrillo Law Firm, LLP extend our best wishes to all of the people who have been impacted by the alleged actions of Colleen Matarico. There needs to be a thorough investigation into the possibility that there may be other victims. Any person that may have more information should reach out to the LAPD.
Have you or someone that you care about been sexually abused by a Los Angeles County teacher? You may have legal recourse. Our team of sexual abuse attorneys is here to help in any way that we can. We care deeply that victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at 626-799-9375.
