EspañolSubstitute Teacher David Prince Jr (Full Name: David Vernon Prince Jr) Who Taught At Long Beach and LA Area Schools Arrested on Suspicion of Child Sexual abuse
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA (August 15, 2023) – A substitute teacher in Los Angeles County identified as David Prince Jr was arrested on suspicion of sexually abusing a student.
Los Angeles County officials are saying they know of a single minor victim. But they believe that there may be additional victims. David Prince Jr taught in LA areas schools including Long Beach.
He has been charged with contact with a minor for sexual offense, distribution of child pornography and possession of child pornography. The defendant also worked as an assistant football coach in addition to his time as a substitute teacher.
Authorities are asking anyone that may have information about the actions of David Prince Jr to reach out to the LAPD. A full investigation remains ongoing at this time.
Liability For Los Angeles County Teacher Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse can occur at every level of a child’s education. According to the Innocent Lives Foundation, “In 2004, the U.S. Department of Education released a report that looked at sexual misconduct in the classroom. The report concluded that roughly 10 percent of students experience sexual misconduct by a teacher at some time during their K-12 school experience.” There are a number of steps that schools should take in order to prevent teacher sexual abuse.
- Teachers and other potential school employees should be thoroughly vetted.
- Teachers and students should be adequately monitored.
- School employees should be trained to recognize the signs that a teacher may be sexually abusing a student.
It is a crime for any teacher to have any type of sexual contact with a minor student. Under California Penal Code 288(a), “a person who willfully and lewdly commits any lewd or lascivious act, including any of the acts constituting other crimes provided for in Part 1, upon or with the body, or any part or member thereof, of a child who is under the age of 14 years, with the intent of arousing, appealing to, or gratifying the lust, passions, or sexual desires of that person or the child, is guilty of a felony.” A teacher that failed to report any reasonably suspected instance of sexual abuse may also be guilty of a crime.
Schools have a legal obligation to properly monitor students. Students must be protected from reasonably foreseeable sources of harm including sexual abuse by school teachers. 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.” Several steps should be taken after any instance of sexual abuse involving a school teacher.
- Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
- School files related to the assailant should be examined.
- A police report should be created.
- An experienced teacher sexual abuse attorney should be contacted.
By the time a teacher is convicted of sexual abuse, there were likely dozens of red flags that were missed. In many situations, there may also be numerous victims. It is important that victims of sexual abuse understand that they do have rights. Any person that is sexually abused by a teacher may have legal recourse through a civil claim. A sexual abuse attorney can examine all of the unique facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Getting Legal Help After Teacher Sexual Abuse
We at the Carrillo Law Firm, LLP extend our best wishes to all of the people who may have been victims of David Prince Jr. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to police. There are so many questions that need to be answered.
Have you or someone that you care about been sexually abused by a school teacher? Our team of sexual abuse attorneys are here to help in any way that we can. We care deeply that abuse victims get the justice that they deserve and that their abusers are held to account. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into any incident we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at 626-799-9375.
