EspañolSelma Unified Employee Selena Perez Charged With Sexually Abusing Female Student At Abraham Lincoln Middle School
SELMA, CALIFORNIA (April 29, 204) – A 26-year-old Selma Unified employee identified as Selena Perez has been arrested on charges of committing lewd and lascivious acts with a child.
Fresno County officials are saying that the incident began earlier this month. Selena Perez was arrested at Abraham Lincoln Middle School.
The district superintendent said that she worked as a campus safety assistant prior to being arrested. Selena Perez has pleaded not guilty to the charges, and her next court hearing is scheduled for June 4.
A criminal protective order was also issued for both the victim and Abraham Lincoln Middle School.
Liability For Fresno County School Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse is an all-too-common occurrence in schools throughout the United States. Certain children are at greater risk of becoming victims of sexual abuse. According to the Vera Institute of Justice, “Children with disabilities are three times more likely than children without them to be victims of sexual abuse, and the likelihood is even higher for children with intellectual or mental health disabilities. These children face many challenges in reporting the abuse and receiving vital services designed to meet their needs.” Schools should take a number of measures in order to prevent instances of sexual abuse.
- Schools should make sure that all employees undergo thorough background checks.
- School employees should be trained to recognize the signs of sexual abuse in a school setting.
- Schools should thoroughly investigate all alleged instances of misconduct.
Schools have a legal obligation to protect children from abuse. To that end, children must be thoroughly supervised when they are at school or an official sanctioned school events. As outlined in Virginia G. v. ABC Unified School District (1993) 15 Cal.App.4th 1848, schools can be liable for the sexual assault of a student if teachers knew (or should have known) about that teacher’s history of sexual abuse and failed to act. Several steps should be taken after any instance of school sexual abuse.
- A police report of the incident should be created.
- Eyewitnesses should be interviewed.
- Medical records should be preserved.
- An experienced sexual abuse attorney should be contacted.
By the time any school employee is arrested for sexual abuse, there are often dozens of red flags that are missed. Part of the reason that sexual abuse is often overlooked in school settings is because abusers tend not to fit a stereotypical profile. Those charged with sexual abuse in a school setting are often well-liked by teachers, students, and parents. This is why schools should always enforce strict guidelines that safeguard children from sexual abuse.
Investigating Sexual Abuse at Abraham Lincoln Middle School
We at the Carrillo Law Firm, LLP were deeply concerned to hear about the alleged actions of Selena Perez. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what took place. It is our sincere hope that additional safeguards are put in place at Abraham Lincoln Middle School.
Have you or someone that you care about been impacted by sexual abuse at Abraham Lincoln Middle School? Our team of sexual abuse attorneys is here to help. We care deeply that abuse victims are aware of their rights and that school districts are held accountable 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.
