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Nov 23, 2024
David Lane Braff Jr., an assistant principal and school counselor at Ingenium Charter Middle School in Winnetka, has been charged with 17 felony counts of lewd acts on children under 14 years old.
Braff’s arrest took place Friday morning and was reportedly the result of an ongoing investigation initiated last month involving Ventura County prosecutors and detectives.
David Braff, a 42-year-old resident of Thousand Oaks, previously worked as a school counselor at McKevett Elementary in Santa Paula from 2015 through 2019.
The sexual abuse allegations against Braff are deeply disturbing:
The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office noted that the crimes involved planning and sophistication, with the children in Braff’s care being particularly vulnerable. Accordingly, prosecutors plan to bring special allegations against Braff.
Details related to the arrest of David Lane Braff Jr. include:
The Santa Paula Unified School District expressed its commitment to transparency and accountability, stating that it is continuing to cooperate with the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office in the ongoing proceedings.
A District representative released the following statement following Braff’s arrest:
“Santa Paula Unified School District is aware of the recent arrest of a former employee regarding allegations of sexual abuse that occurred while the individual was employed with the District in 2018. At the time of the allegations, the District took immediate action by launching an internal investigation and working in close collaboration with law enforcement. The District remains fully committed to transparency and accountability and is continuing to cooperate with the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office in its current proceedings. We take any allegations of misconduct seriously and are committed to creating a safe and supportive environment for all members of our school community.“
Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko emphasized that prosecutors plan to aggressively pursue justice in this disturbing case.
“We intend to vigorously prosecute this case and encourage others to come forward who may have information about additional victims and crimes,” Nasarenko said.
Officials suspect there may be additional unidentified victims, with the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office noting that Braff’s employment at multiple area schools allowed for unfettered access to countless children.
“While Braff’s full employment history is not known at this time, it is believed that Braff also worked at other schools in Southern California and may have been a volunteer for youth-oriented organizations,” the Ventura County DA’s office said.
Childhood sexual abuse is a profoundly traumatic experience which often has long-term effects for survivors. Thankfully, countless resources are available for victims:
Founded by former sex crimes prosecutor Sam Dordulian, D Law Group’s compassionate and dedicated school abuse lawyers are available 24/7 to discuss your child’s case. At D Law Group, we believe all survivors deserve access to justice, and we fight tirelessly to help victims secure financial compensation which can help in the healing process.
Damages commonly included in school sexual abuse lawsuits include:
To speak with an attorney about your child’s case, contact D Law Group today at 866-GO-SEE-SAM. Our team of elite lawyers works on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay a penny for our expert legal services unless we win your case and obtain a maximized cash settlement or verdict.
If we don’t win, you don’t pay. Contact D Law Group today to learn more.
David Braff’s child molestation case is not an isolated incident. In fact, it is one of countless recent stories of Southern California educators charged with student sexual abuse or misconduct.
Braff’s arrest highlights broader concerns about school safety in our local community and beyond.
Ongoing recommendations for improving school safety include:
If you suspect child abuse in an educational setting, report it immediately. Contact your local law enforcement agency or child protective services. In the case of the David Braff investigation, authorities are urging individuals with information to contact Ventura County District Attorney Investigator Greg Webb at 805-477-1627.
If you suspect child abuse, report it immediately to local law enforcement or child protective services. You can also contact the school administration to raise your concerns. Taking immediate action to protect potential victims is critical.
Parents are encouraged to have age-appropriate conversations with their children. Focus on personal boundaries, appropriate touch, and the importance of speaking up if children ever feel uncomfortable. Encouraging kids to trust their instincts and assuring them that they can always come to you with concerns is strongly recommended.
Most school districts require criminal background checks, fingerprinting, and reference checks for all employees. However, the extent of these checks can vary from school-to-school. Parents should feel empowered to ask their school districts about their specific hiring and screening processes.
Schools can enhance safety by implementing stricter hiring practices, conducting regular staff training on recognizing and reporting abuse, maintaining open communication with parents, and creating clear protocols for handling suspicious behavior or allegations.
Signs can include unexplained injuries, changes in behavior or mood, fear of certain adults, regression to earlier behaviors, and sudden changes in school performance. However, it's important to note that these signs don't necessarily indicate abuse and should be investigated carefully.
Our Sexual Assault Justice Experts are here to help survivors secure justice. Contact our top-rated attorneys online or by phone for a free consultation today.
Sam Dordulian is an award-winning sexual abuse lawyer with over 25 years' experience helping survivors secure justice. As a former sex crimes prosecutor and Deputy District Attorney for L.A. County, he secured life sentences against countless sexual predators. Mr. Dordulian currently serves on the National Leadership Council for RAINN.
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