EspañolJabari DeShields, Simi Valley High School Assistant Basketball Coach, Accused of Engaging in Sexual Acts With Two Underage Girls
SIMI VALLEY, CALIFORNIA (November 8, 2025) – A recently hired Simi Valley High School assistant basketball coach identified as Jabari DeShields was arrested on suspicion of committing lewd acts with two underage girls.
The Simi Valley Police Department is saying that the defendant allegedly met the victims at a business outside of the school’s operating hours. Jabari DeShields was charged with five felony counts of lewd acts with a minor under the age of 14.
He has since been booked into the Ventura County Jail. The Simi Valley Police Department said that they became aware of the allegations after a mandated reporter alerted them.
Jabari DeShields is scheduled to make an appearance in court on Monday. A full investigation into all of the allegations of misconduct remains ongoing.
Liability for Ventura County School Sexual Abuse
Schools have a legal obligation to supervise students in their care and protect them from reasonably foreseeable sources of harm. Pursuant to M.W. v. Panama-Buena Vista Union Sch. Dist., 110 Cal.App.4th 508, 517 (2003), “A special relationship is formed between a school district and its students resulting in the imposition of an affirmative duty on the school district to take all reasonable steps to protect its students. This affirmative duty arises, in part, based on the compulsory nature of education.” Schools should take certain measures to protect students from abuse.
- Safety Policies: Schools should create and enforce clear boundaries related to appropriate contact between students and school officials.
- Hiring: Schools should conduct rigorous background checks.
- Supervision: Schools should adequately supervise students at all times of the day and enforce all rules necessary for their protection.
- Reporting: Schools should create numerous reporting avenues to help uncover misconduct.
If a school has actual or constructive notice that a teacher or coach poses a risk of harm to students, they must take action. They must also report the misconduct to the police so that they can begin an investigation. When school officials fail to report reasonably suspected instances of misconduct, this could serve as evidence of negligence.
Investigating Ventura County School Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse involving coaches remains much more common than many people realize. According to the Guardian, “in some cases, coaches and instructors have exploited children’s vulnerabilities and the physical contact sport enables in order to groom and abuse them.” Coaches are often required to physically touch student-athletes during physical maneuvers. About a fifth of educators accused of sexual abuse were coaches. Victims of school sexual abuse should consider certain actions to protect their rights.
- Police: The police should be called to the scene as early as possible so that they can begin an investigation.
- Evidence: All communication between the defendant and the plaintiff should be collected.
- Medical Records: All the medical records related to the abuse should be preserved.
- Legal Support: The family of any child sexually abused by a school worker should seek the guidance of an experienced school sexual abuse attorney.
Sexual abuse in a school setting is often highly preventable. It tends to be the result of clear safety lapses and policy violations. Unfortunately, schools will virtually never accept responsibility when one of their workers abuses children. This is why it is so important that victims seek legal counsel. An attorney can evaluate the unique facts of your case at no cost and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating Ventura County School Sexual Abuse
We at the Carrillo Law Firm extend our best wishes to all of the people who have been affected by the actions of Jabari DeShields. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to the police. It is our sincere hope that additional measures will be taken to make Simi Valley High School a safer place for all students.
Have you or someone that you care about been abused by a school employee at Simi Valley High School? You may have legal recourse. Our team of sexual abuse attorneys is here to help in any way that we can. We are committed to helping victims get the support and justice that they are owed under the law. Whether you just have legal questions or are thinking about hiring an attorney, we are here to serve your needs. You are always welcome to reach out to us anytime at 626-799-9375.
