Month: December 2019

CALABASAS – Two elementary school boys are under investigation for allegedly sexually assaulting their classmates in campus restrooms, authorities said Wednesday. After a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department investigation at Lupin Hill Elementary School, deputies concluded that fewer than 10 children, all between the ages of 5 and 8, were involved, sheriff’s Sgt. Dan Scott said. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office is reviewing the case and declined to comment. It’s unclear whether the boys – who are both 8 – will be charged. At least one of the accused boys was cited for investigation of sodomy, but Scott said prosecutors will decide what, if any, charges will be pursued. “The thing I found most irritating is the police going in and extracting a so-called confession without notifying us at all,” he said. He maintains that although his son admitted to him that he did participate in inappropriate behavior in the boys’ restroom, he said he didn’t commit sodomy. The boy has since been suspended from school and faces expulsion. His father said he thinks the school overreacted. “They decided to play extreme hardball, and we’re going to have a major showdown once we get to court,” he said. Principal Sheila J. Grady did not return a call seeking comment, but in a Nov. 5 letter to Lupin Hill parents, she said the school has “plans to revisit age-appropriate touching lessons with professional advisors.” “Students at Lupin Hill are safe and protected,” she wrote. “Our staff members are vigilant in assuring the safety of all students. The vigilance of the adults on campus is the reason that this situation came to light.” But at least one parent has voiced frustration over what she sees as a lack of supervision on campus. “You want to know how 10 kids end up in the bathroom?” said Alyssa Clemsen, whose daughter attends Lupin Hill. “They’re unsupervised, that’s how.” rick.coca@dailynews.com (818) 713-3636160Want local news?Sign up for the Localist and stay informed Something went wrong. Please try again.subscribeCongratulations! You’re all set! AD Quality Auto 360p 720p 1080p Top articles1/5READ MOREStriving toward a more perfect me: Doug McIntyre “We’re not looking to prosecute these children. We’re looking to get them help,” Scott said. “It would have been a crime if the children were old enough to commit a crime. … There was substantial sexual contact between the children.” The two children were cited in the past few weeks. Scott would not say how long the alleged conduct took place, but said it was over an extended period. All the children interviewed were given the choice of having a school official present, which many did, Scott said. The interviews occurred over several days without the children’s parents present, which is routine procedure, he added. The father of one of the accused boys said he was upset at school and law-enforcement officials for not notifying him about his son’s alleged involvement until after the investigation was finished. read more