EspañolSubstitute Security Guard Deshawn Mitchell, 21, Arrested Following Allegations of Unlawful Sexual Contact With Minor at Columbia Middle School in Adelanto
ADELANTO, CALIFORNIA (June 23, 2025) – A 21-year-old substitute security guard at Columbia Middle School in Adelanto, identified as Deshawn Mitchell, was arrested on child sexual abuse charges.
San Bernardino County officials are saying that the arrest comes after an investigation into allegations of unlawful sexual contact with a minor. Deshawn Mitchell has been charged with a violation of PC 288(a) – Lewd and Lascivious Acts with a Child Under 14.
The defendant has since been booked into the High Desert Detention Center. Anyone with more information about the actions of Deshawn Mitchell should reach out to investigators.
Liability for San Bernardino County School Sexual Abuse
Sexual misconduct involving school officials remains alarmingly common across California and the United States. 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 many measures to prevent sexual misconduct.
- Schools should understand the factors that lead to sexual victimization and predation.
- Schools should ensure that all teachers and employees undergo a thorough background check.
- Schools should create and enforce clear codes of conduct related to appropriate behavior with students.
Schools have a legal obligation to protect their students from reasonably foreseeable sources of harm. This requires that they supervise students at all times of the day and enforce all rules necessary for their protection. When school officials have actual or constructive notice that a certain employee poses a risk of harm to students, they must take action. Failing to take action could form the basis of a negligence claim if a child is abused.
Many families have filed lawsuits after their children were sexually abused in a school setting. Consider, for example, Agbeti v. Los Angeles Unified School District. A playground supervisor failed to report and prevent sexual misconduct during an afterschool program. The court held that schools do have a duty to ensure proper supervision and to report misconduct, pursuant to Penal Code § 11166. It is important that certain steps are taken after any instance of sexual misconduct.
- The misconduct should be reported to the police so that they can begin an investigation.
- Medical records related to any injuries should be collected.
- The history of misconduct involving the defendant should be understood.
- An experienced school sexual abuse attorney should be contacted.
Sexual abuse in a school setting tends to be highly preventable. It is often the consequence of school districts that have lax safeguarding measures. By the time any school employee is arrested for sexual misconduct, there are often numerous missed red flags. Victims of sexual abuse should understand that they do have legal options. They are able to seek some measure of accountability through a civil claim.
Investigating San Bernardino County School Sexual Abuse
We at the Carrillo Law Firm extend our best wishes to all of the people impacted by the actions of Deshawn Mitchell. There needs to be a thorough investigation into the potential scope of the misconduct. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to investigators.
Has your child been the victim of child sexual abuse at Columbia Middle School in Adelanto? You may have legal recourse. Our team of school sexual abuse attorneys is here to help in any way that we can. We have consistently achieved some of the highest verdicts and settlements for abuse victims in the history of California. 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.
