EspañolHuntington Beach Boys & Girls Club Tutor Miguel Pineda (full name: Miguel Angel Pineda) Sentenced To Jail After Child Sex Abuse Charges
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA (September 7, 2024) – A former Huntington Beach Boys & Girls Club tutor identified as Miguel Pineda was sentenced to 28 years in prison after reaching a plea deal for a child sexual abuse case.
The defendant was initially arrested for allegedly molesting three girls he tutored in a literacy program at the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Ana. The assaults allegedly took place in 2017 and 2018 when he was supposed to read to 7 and 8-year-old girls in the library at Washington Elementary School.
Miguel Pineda took a plea deal on August 20 in which he pleaded no contest to three felony counts of forcible lewd acts upon a child younger than 14. Authorities are concerned that there may be additional victims.
Prior to the new charges, Miguel Pineda was required to register as a sex offender in 2019 when he pleaded guilty to molesting another student in the Boys and Girls Club literacy program.
Liability For Orange County Child Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse remains alarmingly common across schools and after-school programs in the United States. Much of that abuse has involved the Boys and Girls Club. According to the Connecticut Post, “Ten new lawsuits have been filed against the Boys & Girls Clubs of America in the year since a Hearst Connecticut Media investigation uncovered more than 100 cases of abuse tied to local clubs across the country over decades and the youth organization moved to evaluate its safety response and its handling of reports of sexual abuse.” After-school programs should take a number of measures in order to protect children from sexual abuse.
- Organizations should conduct a thorough background check on all employees and volunteers.
- Organizations should set clear codes of conduct for all employees and volunteers.
- Organizations should understand the factors that lead to sexual victimization and predation.
- Organizations should thoroughly investigate all allegations of misconduct.
Depending on the facts of any case, an organization could face civil liability for the sexual abuse of children in their care. Many child sexual abuse claims against organizations like the Boys & Girls Club are based on the legal theory that the perpetrator was negligently hired or retained. There are several elements that must be demonstrated in any claim alleging negligent hiring or retention. (1) The employee was unfit to care for children or posed an unreasonable danger to them. (2) The employer knew or should have known about the danger. (3) The unfitness of the employee caused harm to the victim. (4) The company’s hiring decisions were a substantial factor in causing the harm. Victims of sexual abuse tend to suffer very serious injuries.
- Sexual abuse victims often suffer anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
- Sexual abuse victims are at risk for a variety of chronic health conditions.
- Sexual abuse victims are more likely to experience suicidal thoughts.
Much of the sexual abuse that takes place in schools goes unreported. In many situations, teachers or other faculty may have suspicions but fail to act all the same. By the time any person is arrested for sexual abuse involving children, there are likely many red flags that were missed. It is important for victims of child sexual abuse and their parents to understand that they do have rights. They are able to seek some measure of justice through a civil claim.
Investigating Boys & Girls Club Child Sexual Abuse
We at the Carrillo Law Firm, LLP extend our best wishes to all of the children and families who have been affected by the actions of Miguel Pineda. Any person who may have additional information should reach out to investigators. It is our sincere hope that measures are taken to prevent similar abuses down the road.
Have you or someone that you care about been sexually abused while at the Boys & Girls Club? You may have legal recourse. Our team of sexual abuse attorneys is here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that 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.
