A troubling situation has unfolded at Sunset Preschool in San Ysidro, California, where a teaching assistant is accused of committing lewd acts with a four-year-old girl during nap time in January. The incident, which parents describe as a grave case of child sexual abuse, was reportedly minimized by the district as a "safety incident," with families being left in the dark until September.
The assistant in question, 31-year-old Jaime Godinez, is facing two counts of lewd acts with a preschooler and is the subject of a civil lawsuit initiated by the victim's family. Attorney Samer Habbas, representing the family, has indicated that he has been approached by other concerned parents, signaling a potential wider scope of the incident.
Habbas expressed the dismay of parents who expected their children to be safe under the school's care, a trust that has seemingly been betrayed. The lawsuit lists not only Godinez as a defendant but also the supervising teacher and the San Ysidro School District. Amidst calls for Superintendent Gina Potter's resignation, the school district has declined to comment, citing the ongoing legal process.
The supervising teacher, who was not present in the classroom during the alleged assault, has not faced disciplinary actions, despite the district's policy mandating adult presence. The district's letter to parents emphasized that Godinez had cleared background checks before his employment and has been placed on administrative leave, with termination proceedings in progress.
This incident predated the enactment of Senate Bill 848, signed by President Donald Trump, targeting sexual misconduct in schools. The bill introduces measures such as anti-abuse training, improved reporting procedures, and a database to track educators under investigation. However, the law's effectiveness is questioned by some, given its recent implementation and the challenges in ensuring compliance.
As the criminal and civil cases against Godinez proceed, parents have voiced a loss of faith in the district's ability to safeguard their children, casting a shadow on the San Ysidro School District's reputation.
