No charges filed in California elite school sex abuse probe

OJAI, Calif. (AP) — No felony fees will likely be filed over many years of alleged sexual misconduct at an elite personal highschool in Southern California despite the fact that “quite a few” youngsters have been victimized, authorities stated Wednesday.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Workplace and the county district legal professional’s workplace introduced they accomplished an 18-month investigation into greater than 100 circumstances of alleged sexual abuse at The Thacher Faculty in Ojai, northwest of Los Angeles.

Nevertheless most circumstances have been many years outdated, with some courting again to the Sixties, and the statute of limitations to file fees had expired, the DA’s workplace and Sheriff’s Division stated in a joint information launch.

In 43 circumstances, the victims couldn’t be reached or declined to take part whereas in one other 30, investigators decided that no crime had occurred, sheriff’s Sgt. Ryan Clark stated, in accordance with the Ventura County Star.

Solely three circumstances truly have been dropped at the district legal professional’s workplace final yr for doable prosecution however fees could not be introduced due to the expired statute of limitations, the press launch stated.

The opposite circumstances weren’t submitted to the DA’s workplace as a result of “they fell clearly outdoors the statute of limitations, the victims sought no prosecution, or no crime could possibly be established,” the discharge stated.

“Our lack of ability to deliver fees shouldn’t be seen as endorsing what occurred over time at Thacher,” stated Deputy District Legal professional Brent Nibecker, in accordance with the Star. “Quite a few youngsters have been victimized. Adults entrusted with their care violated that belief.”

Final yr, the Thacher Faculty launched a 90-page report by a legislation agency it employed to analyze allegations made in an alumni social media marketing campaign. The report detailed episodes of alleged rape, groping, undesirable touching and inappropriate feedback going again 40 years, the Los Angeles Occasions reported on the time.

It specified six alleged perpetrators and described alleged efforts by former directors to cowl up complaints and blame victims.

Story continues

County authorities stated the Thacher Faculty cooperated — but additionally stated the varsity’s choice to order an impartial investigation after which publicly launch the outcomes hampered the felony probe.

Some suspects who have been publicly recognized refused to be interviewed, referred inquiries to their attorneys, or took steps to keep away from contact with legislation enforcement altogether, the press launch stated.

Daniel W. Yih, the chair of Thacher’s governing board, wrote in a letter accompanying the report that not one of the accused have been nonetheless employed by the varsity.

“To survivors of sexual misconduct and their households in our group, we’re deeply sorry,” Yih wrote.

The board of trustees acknowledged a “profound” affect on college students due to the failure to exert correct oversight.

“Many suffered lasting hurt not simply from the sexual misconduct itself but additionally from the varsity’s dealing with of the misconduct,” the trustees stated in an announcement.

Regardless of the dearth of prosecutions, the DA’s workplace “strongly inspired” victims of unreported sexual assault at Thacher to contact legislation enforcement, the press launch stated.