SOUTH EL MONTE, Calif. — A jury has awarded $48 million to six former students of Miramonte Elementary School who reported sexual abuse by a longtime teacher. The abuse, which involved inappropriate touching and harassment, occurred between the early 2000s and 2017, while the victims were aged 8 to 10.
The verdict was delivered after a month-long trial where students’ attorneys presented evidence showing that the Mountain View School District had been alerted to the teacher’s misconduct as far back as the 1990s yet failed to take any substantial action. The accused teacher, Joseph Baldenebro, 62, is currently serving a sentence for previous convictions related to lewd acts with children.
Baldenebro was sentenced to eight years in prison in 2018, following his conviction. In a separate case filed in 2022, he pleaded no contest and received a 12-year prison sentence, with parole eligibility in 2031, according to state prison records. The perpetrators’ actions were described by attorney Nick Rowley as a series of red flags that were ignored by school officials.
Though Mountain View School District acknowledged negligently supervising Baldenebro, it contended that the teacher was solely responsible for the harm caused to the students. A district spokesperson expressed regret for the distress caused to students and the community but did not comment on the jury’s verdict.
The oldest of the former students reported enduring abuse while she was in Baldenebro’s class from 2002 to 2004. According to court documents, she developed a close bond with the teacher, who offered perks like outings to amusement parks and gifts, under the guise of being her “godparent.”
As the misconduct escalated, the former student detailed incidents where Baldenebro would summon her to his lap after class, where inappropriate touching would occur. After reporting her discomfort to the principal in 2004, she was allegedly told that Baldenebro’s behavior was normal because of their supposed familial connection.
During the trial, the jury awarded $9 million to this student alone, as other victims also brought forth harrowing accounts of Baldenebro’s conduct. One victim reported being fondled and raped in the classroom, which contributed to an award of $16.5 million for her suffering.
Of the total damages, jurors found the Mountain View School District liable for more than $36 million. A district spokesperson could not confirm whether the verdict will be covered by insurance or require use of district funds.
To prevent future occurrences of abuse, the district has initiated a program titled “Be Seen: Be Heard,” aimed at enhancing awareness around sexual assault and abuse. Before the trial, an offer for a $100,000 settlement per victim was proposed, but it was rejected.
Michael Carrillo, the lead attorney for the former students, criticized the district for initially dismissing the gravity of the victims’ experiences. He asserted that the jury recognized the severe impact of the abuse on the students, reinforcing the need for accountability within the school district.
The case has highlighted broader issues regarding the responsibilities of educational institutions in protecting students from abuse and the importance of addressing allegations promptly.
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