EspañolStephen Spurlock, Teacher at Palm Valley School in Rancho Mirage, Charged With Rape and Sexual Abuse of a Teen
RANCHO MIRAGE, CALIFORNIA (May 12, 2025) – A Riverside County teacher identified as Stephen Spurlock was arrested on suspicion of sexual abuse of a teen.
Riverside officials are saying that the defendant worked as a guest teacher and certified specialist within the Desert Sands Unified School District. Records indicate he served in that position from August 2013 to June 2022.
Stephen Spurlock also taught at the Palm Valley School in Rancho Mirage. He is currently facing 21 felony counts of sexual abuse. This includes 19 accounts of rape.
According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, he was placed in custody after a 911 call reported that there was ongoing abuse.
Investigators are saying that the victim in this case was only 14 when the abuse began. Authorities are concerned that there could be other victims who have not yet come forward.
Stephen Spurlock is currently being held without bail. A full investigation remains ongoing at this time.
Liability for Rancho Mirage Child Sex Abuse
Sexual abuse involving teachers remains quite common in a school setting. According to Sage Journals, “Academic teachers most often perpetrated the abuse (63%), followed by coaches and gym teachers (20%). Educators who engaged in sexual misconduct were primarily male (85%), whereas students who reported experiencing educator misconduct were primarily female (72%).” Sexual misconduct involving teachers can come in a variety of different forms.
- Receiving sexual photos
- Receiving sexual messages
- Being kissed
- Being touched sexually
- Sexual intercourse
- Oral sex
Schools have a legal obligation to protect students from reasonably foreseeable sources of harm. This includes protecting them from sexual abuse at the hands of school teachers and third parties. To that end, school officials must enforce all rules and regulations necessary for the protection of the children in their care. When school officials have actual or constructive notice that a teacher poses a risk to children, they must take action. A school district could be liable if any teacher sexually abuses a student.
Riverside County has faced a number of lawsuits related to sexual abuse involving teachers and students. Consider, for example, Jane LAM Doe v. Riverside Unified School District. A teacher’s aide at liberty Elementary school in Riverside County allegedly sexually abused female students between 2014 and 2017. The perpetrator was eventually indicted on multiple counts of lewd acts upon a child. Attorneys for the victims argue that the school district failed to properly supervise the teacher’s aide, which resulted in the abuse. It is important that certain steps are taken after any instance of sexual abuse involving school officials.
- A police report of the incident should be created.
- Medical records related to any of the abuse should be preserved.
- The history of misconduct involving the perpetrator should be understood.
- An experienced teacher sexual abuse attorney should be contacted.
Much of the sexual abuse that takes place in a school setting is highly preventable. Indeed, by the time any teacher is arrested for sexual abuse, there were likely numerous missed red flags. Unfortunately, school districts will often do everything in their power to deny responsibility if one of their employees harms children. This is why it is so important that any type of sexual misconduct involving teachers is properly investigated by an outside party. Victims of school sexual abuse may be able to seek some measure of accountability through a civil claim.
Investigating Rancho Mirage School Sexual Abuse
We at the Carrillo Law Firm, LLP were deeply concerned to hear about the allegations against Stephen Spurlock. Any person who may have more information about the conduct of the defendant should contact the police. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what school officials knew and when they knew it. It is our sincere hope that steps are taken to help make the school district safer for all students.
Have you or someone that you care about been the victim of sexual abuse by Riverside County school officials? You may have legal recourse. Our team of school sexual abuse attorneys is here to help in any way that we can. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that school districts are held fully 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.
