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Gabriel Chavez, Former LA High School Basketball Coach, Arrested On Suspicion of Committing Lewd Acts With Minor

Granada Hills Charter High School Teacher Gabriel Chavez, of Chatsworth, Arrested On Suspicion of Committing Lewd Acts With Minor

child sexual abuse

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA (April 23, 2023) – A Granada Hills Charter High School teacher identified as Gabriel Chavez was arrested on suspicion of committing lewd acts on a minor. 

Los Angeles Police Department officials are saying that Gabriel Chavez worked at Granada Hills Charter High until January of 2023. He also volunteered at various youth programs throughout the city. 

Gabriel Chavez was arrested on suspicion of having an inappropriate relationship with a minor.  Police believe that relationship began when he was a coach at the high school. He is currently being held on a $310,000 bail. 

Authorities have released a photo of the suspect in order to help identify any other potential victims. Witnesses can leave anonymous tips to lacrimestoppers.org.

A full investigation remains ongoing at this time. 

Liability For Los Angeles Teacher Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse at the hands of teachers is much more common than many people may realize. According to one report by the U.S. Department of Education, around 10% of students experience sexual misconduct by teachers during their K-12 school experience. Not every offender may be a teacher. They could also be a coach, counselor, janitor or principal. School employees who abuse children tend to look for vulnerable victims with low self-esteem and who are socially isolated. There are also a number of strategies that perpetrators take in order to get close to their victims. 

  • Perpetrators may take on a care-taking role through babysitting, teaching or tutoring. 
  • Perpetrators may seek to form a “special relationship” with their victim. 
  • Perpetrators may consistently give students gifts. 
  • Perpetrators may seek to become welcome in the home of the student to gain the trust of parents. 

Depending on the facts of any case, a school could be liable if one of their employees sexually abused a child in their care. Schools must properly supervise children and follow all rules and regulations necessary for their protection. When a school fails to properly supervise children who are then sexually abused by coaches, this could be construed as negligence. As outlined in Virginia G. v. ABC Unified School District (1993) 15 Cal. App.4th 1848, schools can also be liable for the sexual assault of a child by a teacher if supervisors knew (or should have known) about that teacher’s history of sexual misconduct with students. There are a number of steps that should be taken after any suspected instance of a school employee sexually abusing a minor.

  • School employees are mandated reporters and must report their suspicions of child sexual abuse. 
  • A police report of the incident should be created. 
  • Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
  • A school sexual abuse attorney should be consulted. 

Ideally, school districts are supposed to properly vet prospective employees and investigate instances of misconduct. But this does not always happen. It is important that abuse victims understand that they do have rights. Any person that is sexually abused by a school employee may be able to seek some measure of justice through a civil claim. Sadly, though, it is common for school districts to fight hard to deny liability when one of their employees abuses a student. This is one of the reasons it is so important that all evidence is properly preserved after any incident. 

Investigating Los Angeles School Sexual Abuse

We at the Carrillo Law Firm, LLP extend our best wishes to the child involved and their parents. Any other person that may be a victim of Gabriel Chavez should strongly consider speaking with the LAPD. It is our sincere hope that steps are taken to prevent sexual abuse across Los Angeles County. School districts must do everything in their power to keep children safe. 

Have you or someone that you care about been sexually abused by a school employee in Los Angeles County? Our team of experienced and compassionate sexual abuse attorneys are here for you. We care deeply that abuse victims are aware of their rights and that school districts are held to account for their negligence. 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.

Author

MICHAEL S. CARRILLO, Partner

Michael works on high-profile cases that have garnered national media attention. His practice today focuses on child sexual abuse cases, police misconduct cases, catastrophic injuries and other wrongful death matters. He is a passionate advocate for his clients including the countless child sexual abuse victims he currently represents.