EspañolCovina High School Teacher Joshua McGinn (Full Name: Joshua Daniel McGinn) Charged with Sexually Assaulting Two Female Students
COVINA, CALIFORNIA (December 25, 2024) -A 41-year-old Covina high school teacher identified as Joshua McGinn has been charged with having sex with two underage female students.
Los Angeles County officials are saying that the crimes allegedly began in 2022. Prosecutors are asking other potential victims to come forward and provide information to the Covina Police Department.
Joshua McGinn is currently facing four counts of oral copulation with a person who is younger than 18 and one count of sexual penetration by use of force. He was arrested on December 18 and is currently being held without bail.
If convicted on all current charges, Joshua McGinn faces over 13 years in state prison. A full investigation into all of the allegations remains ongoing at this time.
Liability for Los Angeles County Teacher Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse remains alarmingly common in schools across California and the United States. According to one study in Sage Journals, “Educator sexual misconduct is a serious problem in the United States (U.S.), with a 2004 Department of Education report estimating that 9.6% of K-12 students in the U.S. had experienced either verbal, visual, or physical educator misconduct at some point during their school career.” Sexual assault can take many different forms in a school setting.
- Instances of rape and attempted rape
- Groping and unwanted touching
- Sexual penetration of the victim with foreign objects
- Sexual exploitation of the victims
It is illegal for any teacher to have a sexual relationship with a minor student. Pursuant to California Penal Code 288, it is a crime for a person to commit any lewd or lascivious act on a child under 16 years of age. When a teacher becomes aware that another teacher is sexually abusing or exploiting a student, they have a legal obligation to intervene. If a teacher fails to report reasonably suspected instances of child sexual abuse, they could also face criminal penalties.
Schools have a legal obligation to take reasonable steps to protect students from criminal behavior, including sexual abuse. 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 a number of ways that a school may have failed to adequately protect students from sexual abuse.
- Schools may have performed inadequate background checks.
- Schools may not have clear and enforceable policies for reporting sexual misconduct.
- Schools may have failed to follow up on reports of abuse.
- Schools may have failed to supervise students and let them be alone with teachers.
The vast majority of sexual abuse that takes place in a school setting is preventable. They tend to involve instances where schools are not following safety protocols designed to prevent abuse. In many instances, perpetrators may go years or even decades without being caught. It is important that victims of school sexual abuse understand that they do have rights. They are able to seek some measure of justice through a civil claim. A school sexual abuse attorney can examine all of the unique facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating Los Angeles County Teacher Sexual Abuse
We at the Carrillo Law Firm, LLP extend our best wishes to all of the people and families who have been impacted by the actions of Joshua McGinn. Any person who may have more information should reach out to the Covina police department. There needs to be a thorough investigation into all of the allegations.
Have you or someone that you care about been sexually abused by a teacher in Los Angeles County? Our team of sexual abuse attorneys is here to help in any way that we can. We care deeply that sexual abuse 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.
