EspañolHector Zaldivar (Full Name: Hector Edward Zaldivar), 53, of Ontario, Arrested for Sexually Abusing Young Female Student at Terrace Elementary School in Riverside
RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA (February 15, 2025) – A teacher at Terrace Elementary School in Riverside, identified as Hector Zaldivar, was arrested on child sexual abuse charges.
Riverside County officials are saying that the defendant was arrested on February 12. Hector Zaldivar is currently employed by the Alvord Unified School District.
The crimes are believed to have taken place in June 2022 during a summer school session at Terrace Elementary School in Riverside. Authorities believe that there could be additional victims.
Hector Zaldivar was booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center on charges of lewd and lascivious conduct with a child under the age of 14 by force. A full investigation into all of the allegations remains ongoing at this time.
Liability for Riverside County Child Sexual Abuse
Schools are supposed to be a place of learning and growth for students. But in far too many situations, dangerous predators are hired by these institutions. According to Psychology Today, “About 10 percent of students will experience educator sexual misconduct by the time they graduate high school. (…) Extrapolated to the U.S. population, this meant that four to five million children had experienced some form of educator misconduct at the time.” There are a number of patterns that tend to define school sexual abuse.
- Most of the perpetrators are teachers.
- Nearly 90% of the perpetrators are male.
- The majority of the victims of misconduct are female.
- Sexual misconduct often included grooming, such as giving gifts, money, or special attention.
Schools have a legal obligation to protect students from sexual abuse and other harm. 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.” If school officials failed to protect a child during school hours, the school district could face liability for the misconduct. It is important that evidence is properly preserved after any instance of child sexual abuse and the school setting.
- Medical records related to the abuse should be preserved.
- A police report should be created.
- The history of misconduct involving the teacher or school employee should be understood.
- The actions of school officials leading up to the assault should be scrutinized.
- An experienced teacher sexual abuse attorney should be contacted.
Teacher sexual abuse is often highly preventable. It tends to take place when safeguarding measures are ignored. Among other things, teachers should not be allowed to remain isolated with individual students. By the time any teacher is arrested for sexual misconduct, there are often numerous red flags that are missed. The parents of any child who is sexually abused in a school setting may be able to seek some measure of justice through a civil claim. A teacher sexual abuse attorney can examine the unique facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating Riverside County Child Sexual Abuse
We at the Carrillo Law Firm, LLP were deeply concerned to hear about the allegations against Hector Zaldivar. There needs to be a thorough investigation into the scope of the abuse that has taken place at Terrace Elementary School in Riverside. Any person who may have more information should reach out to the Riverside Police Department.
Have you or your child been impacted by teacher sexual abuse in Riverside County? Our team of teacher sexual abuse attorneys is here to help in any way that we can. We care deeply that the victims of abuse are aware of their rights and that perpetrators and school districts are held accountable for their misconduct. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of assistance, we are here for you. You can reach out to our office anytime at 626-799-9375.
