EspañolTerrace Elementary School Teacher Hector Zaldivar (Hector Edward Zaldivar) Accused of Sexually Abusing Underage Girl
RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA (April 17, 2025) – A Riverside teacher at Terrace Elementary School identified as Hector Zaldivar was arrested on suspicion of sexually abusing a minor student.
Riverside County officials began investigating the defendant on February 11. The crimes of Hector Zaldivar allegedly took place in June 2022 during summer school at Terrace Elementary School.
The defendant was arrested on February 12 in connection with the alleged crimes. Authorities are concerned about the possibility that there may be additional victims.
Hector Zaldivar was placed on administrative leave following the incident. It remains unclear if he is still employed at the school.
He has been booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center on charges of lewd and lascivious conduct with a child under 14 by using force.
Liability for Sexual Abuse in Riverside County Schools
Sexual abuse in a school setting remains an all-too-common occurrence across California in the United States. According to the National Education Association, “there were 14,938 incidents of sexual violence in K–12 schools in 2017 – 2018 compared with 9,649 in 2015 – 2016, representing a 55 percent increase.” Much of the abuse that takes place involves other students—on school playgrounds, in bathrooms, and on school buses. Teachers are also routinely perpetrators. Several factors may contribute to teacher sexual abuse in a school setting.
- Improper Safeguarding: Teachers may be allowed to spend time alone with individual students.
- Background Checks: Schools may not have performed adequate background checks on teachers or other staff.
- Not Reporting: In many cases, abuse is allowed to continue because school officials do not properly investigate allegations of misconduct.
Schools have a legal obligation to adequately supervise children at all points of the day. They must enforce all rules and regulations necessary for their safety. Schools could be held liable for the negligent hiring or retention of a teacher that posed a risk of harm to students. When a school has actual or constructive knowledge that a teacher poses a risk of harm, they must take action. Failing to take action to protect students could form the basis of a negligence claim.
Consider, for example, S.M. v. Los Angeles Unified School District. A lawsuit was filed against the school district after a student was sexually assaulted by a teacher. Attorneys for the plaintiff argued that the Los Angeles Unified School District was liable for the abuse due to their negligent supervision. Evidence was presented that showed that the perpetrator engaged in conduct that should have alerted the district that he posed a risk of harm to students. It is important that certain steps are taken after any instance of sexual abuse in a school setting.
- Medical records related to the abuse should be collected.
- The history of disciplinary action involving the perpetrator should be reviewed.
- Surveillance footage that may have captured some of the misconduct should be sought.
- A police report of the incident should be filed.
- An experienced teacher sexual abuse attorney should be contacted.
Sexual abuse in a school setting is often highly preventable. Teachers are mandated reporters. They have a legal obligation to report all reasonably suspected instances of child abuse. But far too often this does not take place. Part of the problem is that not every teacher or school employee is properly trained to identify the warning signs that certain people pose a risk of harm. It is important for victims of sexual abuse in a school setting to understand that they do have legal rights. They are able to hold the perpetrator and school district that harm them accountable through a civil claim.
Investigating Sexual Abuse in Riverside County Schools
We at the Carrillo Law Firm, LLP were deeply concerned to hear about the allegations of misconduct involving Hector Zaldivar. Any person who may have more information should reach out to the police in Riverside. There needs to be a thorough investigation into the possibility that there could be other victims.
Have you or someone that you care about been sexually abused by a teacher in Riverside County? There are several laws designed to protect your rights. Our team of Riverside County school sexual abuse attorneys is here to help you. We have dedicated our careers to helping survivors of sexual abuse and holding school districts accountable for their negligent actions. Whether you just have legal questions or would like a risk-free and confidential consultation about your particular situation, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at 626-799-9375.
