The story below has all the makings of a Heaps-type lawsuit in the works. As blog readers will recall, Heaps was a UCLA gynecologist convicted of various sexual assaults on patients. Ultimately, vast sums were paid out. From the Bruin:
A former UCLA early child care education [ECE] teacher was charged with multiple counts of sexual battery, false imprisonment, battery on a person, cruelty to a child and sexual penetration by a foreign object Tuesday. The Los Angeles City Attorney’s office filed the charges Tuesday against Christopher Rodriguez – who worked in various UCLA ECE centers, including the Krieger Center and University Village, for nearly 25 years. He had additional criminal charges added after another child victim reported an account of alleged inappropriate sexual touching in a UCLA ECE classroom. The UCLA ECE centers provide care for children ages two months to six years for UCLA-affiliated families.
Rodriguez was previously charged in February with five misdemeanor charges, including sexual battery, false imprisonment and willful cruelty to a child, following a UCPD investigation. UCLA placed Rodriguez on academic leave in December following a Title IX investigation into the alleged crimes. “Unfortunately these charges—while serious—do not begin to capture the extent of the abuse Rodriguez committed against his 3 and 4-year-old students over the course of his 20+ year tenure at UCLA’s Early Care and Education centers,” said Danielle De Smeth, an attorney representing child care abuse victims at UCLA, in a press release.
UCPD did not respond to requests for comment.
A parent of a student at UCLA ECE, who was granted anonymity to keep his daughter’s identity private, told the Daily Bruin that he wasn’t sure if every UCLA child care center has accreditation. The Daily Bruin acquired multiple emails dating back to 2018 between the parent and the National Association for the Education of Young Children. “Our records indicate this program was not accredited by NAEYC in 2018,” NAEYC Quality Assurance said in an email to the parent Feb. 29. “Program is still not NAEYC accredited.” However, UCLA ECE claims to be accredited on their website.
A spokesperson for UCLA did not respond to requests for comment...
Full story at https://dailybruin.com/2024/05/31/former-ucla-child-care-teacher-charged-with-sexual-battery-cruelty-to-a-child.
ECE sent out the announcement below:
Update for the ECE Community
May 30, 2024
On May 28, 2024, the L.A. City Attorney filed an additional misdemeanor charge (see FAQ) against Christopher Rodriguez in connection with an additional victim. (If you would like more information about the criminal case proceedings, please contact the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles(link is external).)
Mr. Rodriguez remains barred from entering the UCLA campus and ECE facilities and from contacting any families or employees at ECE.
This situation continues to be deeply concerning and upsetting to our entire ECE community. We extend our most heartfelt compassion to those directly involved and any member of our community who is experiencing distress caused by this situation. Please know: UCLA and the ECE administration are here to support you. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to us at ece@ece.ucla.edu(link sends email), UCPD at 310.825.1491, or RAINN’s national sexual assault hotline at 800.656.4673.
Protecting the well-being of children in our care is our utmost priority. ECE has undertaken several measures to address safety and security. We continue to assess and closely monitor the situation, as well as work with UCPD to monitor and enance security measures in response. We are steadfast in our resolve to ensure the safety of all children in our care.
We do not tolerate any form of inappropriate behavior at ECE. If you are or become aware of similar allegations, please inform us immediately and report them to one or more of the following agencies:
UCLA Police Department: 310.825.1491
Los Angeles County Child Protection Hotline: 800.540.4000
Los Angeles Police Department Juvenile Division/Abused Child Unit: 213.486.0570
We will continue to update the ECE website with the latest information, messages, available resources and answers to frequently asked questions. While we value and honor our commitment to an open and honest community, the sensitive nature of this situation limits what we can share. We also appreciate your respect for the privacy of the individuals involved.
This is a difficult and painful situation. We sincerely appreciate the understanding and support of our ECE community as we navigate these challenges together.
Sincerely,
Tashon McKeithan, EdD
Executive Director
UCLA Early Care and Education Program
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Christina (Tina) Christie, PhD
Wasserman Dean & Professor
UCLA School of Education & Information Studies
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