LAMB Sued for $20M by 2 families of sexual abuse victims

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why on earth didn't they install security cameras in the basement and other areas in 2015? That would have put Fernandez on notice.

Child molesters are opportunistic and look for the path of least resistance to what they want.

To install cameras in the basement would have been a great idea, but after the 2015 incident adults were not allowed to take kids to the basement to pick up material (Fernandez was not the only teacher who was going to the basement with students)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why on earth didn't they install security cameras in the basement and other areas in 2015? That would have put Fernandez on notice.

Child molesters are opportunistic and look for the path of least resistance to what they want.

To install cameras in the basement would have been a great idea, but after the 2015 incident adults were not allowed to take kids to the basement to pick up material (Fernandez was not the only teacher who was going to the basement with students)

And of course there was the school neighbor who called and said he was touching kids on the playground....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why on earth didn't they install security cameras in the basement and other areas in 2015? That would have put Fernandez on notice.

Child molesters are opportunistic and look for the path of least resistance to what they want.

To install cameras in the basement would have been a great idea, but after the 2015 incident adults were not allowed to take kids to the basement to pick up material (Fernandez was not the only teacher who was going to the basement with students)

And of course there was the school neighbor who called and said he was touching kids on the playground....

Did he call the police or just notify the school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why on earth didn't they install security cameras in the basement and other areas in 2015? That would have put Fernandez on notice.

Child molesters are opportunistic and look for the path of least resistance to what they want.

To install cameras in the basement would have been a great idea, but after the 2015 incident adults were not allowed to take kids to the basement to pick up material (Fernandez was not the only teacher who was going to the basement with students)

And of course there was the school neighbor who called and said he was touching kids on the playground....

Long-time educator here. I just truly don't understand why the school was so protective of him. It's highly unusual treatment by any school admin staff, private or public!

[Anonymous]

Just read the entire filing. My stomach is turning. If the facts asserted are true and correct then I sincerely hope that LAMB's insurance policies do not cover gross negligence for persons sued in their individual capacities. Bankruptcy is too good for these people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why on earth didn't they install security cameras in the basement and other areas in 2015? That would have put Fernandez on notice.

Child molesters are opportunistic and look for the path of least resistance to what they want.

To install cameras in the basement would have been a great idea, but after the 2015 incident adults were not allowed to take kids to the basement to pick up material (Fernandez was not the only teacher who was going to the basement with students)

And of course there was the school neighbor who called and said he was touching kids on the playground....

Did he call the police or just notify the school?

School.

[Anonymous]

I'm curious as to what kind of precedents there are for suing the individual administrators and what the outcomes were in those cases.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm curious as to what kind of precedents there are for suing the individual administrators and what the outcomes were in those cases.

I’m curious about this as well and wonder what will happen to Ms. Cottman’s commitment to Kingsbury (her sole reason for being kept on) now that she is being named in a lawsuit. I see this having tremendous ramifications- not just regarding Ms. Cottman, but the entire process. I don’t see how the school can remain viable with this. As a parent at that February meeting and poorly run school-wide Run meeting shortly thereafter, I had a foreboding this would come to pass. I, too, see it the beginning as well. Many more victims would be justified in aligning themselves with the suit or pursuing their own. I second those that believe the value of the school lived and died with passionate excellent teachers and dedicated parents. I hope this sustains the school, but blunt reality is opposed to that hope. Praying for LAMB, all victims and their families.

[Anonymous]

I feel like I need to jump in here, as a lawyer, and point out that just because someone asks for millions of dollars in a lawsuit, doesn’t mean that’s what their case is worth, nor does it mean that’s what they’re going to get. I think this case has merit, at least against Cristina and Diane, but I don’t think it’s worth millions of dollars.

I also think this case is going to settle. There’s no way these parents are going to want their children to endure depositions and trial testimony. The school is, I’m sure, also motivated to settle. This case, and those like it, can get resolved at some reasonable number.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why on earth didn't they install security cameras in the basement and other areas in 2015? That would have put Fernandez on notice.

Child molesters are opportunistic and look for the path of least resistance to what they want.

To install cameras in the basement would have been a great idea, but after the 2015 incident adults were not allowed to take kids to the basement to pick up material (Fernandez was not the only teacher who was going to the basement with students)

Fernandez should have been fired with the locked door - regardless of what MPD could substantiate. There is no reasonable justification for taking students to the basement and locking the door. Cameras with notice would have only caused him to abuse children elsewhere. Hidden cameras would still have allowed children to be abused. Sending prayers of healing for the children directly and indirectly affected and for the entire LAMB community. I can’t imagine that there is any settlement or justice that will satisfy parents knowing that he was allowed to continue past those 2015 incidents. And to those who say he was “in” with the admin. Who knows? He got to the school in the spring of 2013 and there were concerns within his first year. Hard to believe he was part of the in-crowd so quickly. This might have been pure arrogance - thinking that this type of thing couldn’t happen at LAMB or couldn’t happen with someone hired by the admin.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I feel like I need to jump in here, as a lawyer, and point out that just because someone asks for millions of dollars in a lawsuit, doesn’t mean that’s what their case is worth, nor does it mean that’s what they’re going to get. I think this case has merit, at least against Cristina and Diane, but I don’t think it’s worth millions of dollars.

I also think this case is going to settle. There’s no way these parents are going to want their children to endure depositions and trial testimony. The school is, I’m sure, also motivated to settle. This case, and those like it, can get resolved at some reasonable number.

Thank you! I’ve been waiting for an actual lawyer or knowledgeable person to chime in here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I feel like I need to jump in here, as a lawyer, and point out that just because someone asks for millions of dollars in a lawsuit, doesn’t mean that’s what their case is worth, nor does it mean that’s what they’re going to get. I think this case has merit, at least against Cristina and Diane, but I don’t think it’s worth millions of dollars.

I also think this case is going to settle. There’s no way these parents are going to want their children to endure depositions and trial testimony. The school is, I’m sure, also motivated to settle. This case, and those like it, can get resolved at some reasonable number.

The LAMB Board chair emailed parents yesterday re the lawsuit.

"Dear LAMB Community,

As many of you are aware, a lawsuit has been filed in the US District Court for the District of Columbia against Manuel Fernandez, LAMB, Diane Cottman, and Cristina Encinas. The matter has been turned over to our insurance company.

The Board has been contemplating the possibility of a lawsuit and has been working closely with our insurance company over the last several months. We hope to work toward a just resolution of all claims.

The Board understands the concerns of the community and is working diligently, in consultation with legal advisors and Charter Board Partners, to address Board and school matters as effectively and efficiently as possible. You will receive a more detailed communication in the coming days regarding these efforts, but we wanted to reach out to let you know that we hear you and we are proceeding with the guidance of experts. We know that the community is eager to assist in the efforts to stabilize and strengthen LAMB, and will be announcing soon measures that are underway to increase community involvement.

- Barrie Lynn Tapia, Board Chair"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why on earth didn't they install security cameras in the basement and other areas in 2015? That would have put Fernandez on notice.

Child molesters are opportunistic and look for the path of least resistance to what they want.

To install cameras in the basement would have been a great idea, but after the 2015 incident adults were not allowed to take kids to the basement to pick up material (Fernandez was not the only teacher who was going to the basement with students)

Fernandez should have been fired with the locked door - regardless of what MPD could substantiate. There is no reasonable justification for taking students to the basement and locking the door. Cameras with notice would have only caused him to abuse children elsewhere. Hidden cameras would still have allowed children to be abused. Sending prayers of healing for the children directly and indirectly affected and for the entire LAMB community. I can’t imagine that there is any settlement or justice that will satisfy parents knowing that he was allowed to continue past those 2015 incidents. And to those who say he was “in” with the admin. Who knows? He got to the school in the spring of 2013 and there were concerns within his first year. Hard to believe he was part of the in-crowd so quickly. This might have been pure arrogance - thinking that this type of thing couldn’t happen at LAMB or couldn’t happen with someone hired by the admin.

Not only that. Apparently one key fact being left out is that he was very popular. With parents, teachers, everyone (I have been told). They key thing to learn for anyone might be that such abusers can be charasmatic, meaning they are able to lie and charm their way out of situation. I have to believe that while astoundingly ignorant and reprehensible, the admins actually just plain believed him. And they weren’t the only ones. Clearly it’s important to look at this and create policies that would prevent such blindness.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why on earth didn't they install security cameras in the basement and other areas in 2015? That would have put Fernandez on notice.

Child molesters are opportunistic and look for the path of least resistance to what they want.

To install cameras in the basement would have been a great idea, but after the 2015 incident adults were not allowed to take kids to the basement to pick up material (Fernandez was not the only teacher who was going to the basement with students)

Fernandez should have been fired with the locked door - regardless of what MPD could substantiate. There is no reasonable justification for taking students to the basement and locking the door. Cameras with notice would have only caused him to abuse children elsewhere. Hidden cameras would still have allowed children to be abused. Sending prayers of healing for the children directly and indirectly affected and for the entire LAMB community. I can’t imagine that there is any settlement or justice that will satisfy parents knowing that he was allowed to continue past those 2015 incidents. And to those who say he was “in” with the admin. Who knows? He got to the school in the spring of 2013 and there were concerns within his first year. Hard to believe he was part of the in-crowd so quickly. This might have been pure arrogance - thinking that this type of thing couldn’t happen at LAMB or couldn’t happen with someone hired by the admin.

Not only that. Apparently one key fact being left out is that he was very popular. With parents, teachers, everyone (I have been told). They key thing to learn for anyone might be that such abusers can be charasmatic, meaning they are able to lie and charm their way out of situation. I have to believe that while astoundingly ignorant and reprehensible, the admins actually just plain believed him. And they weren’t the only ones. Clearly it’s important to look at this and create policies that would prevent such blindness.

Just like the charismatic teacher at Oyster, even after the admission some people didn't want to believe it was true because he presented as such a trustworthy and wonderful teacher! Sad all around situation for those involved.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why on earth didn't they install security cameras in the basement and other areas in 2015? That would have put Fernandez on notice.

Child molesters are opportunistic and look for the path of least resistance to what they want.

To install cameras in the basement would have been a great idea, but after the 2015 incident adults were not allowed to take kids to the basement to pick up material (Fernandez was not the only teacher who was going to the basement with students)

Fernandez should have been fired with the locked door - regardless of what MPD could substantiate. There is no reasonable justification for taking students to the basement and locking the door. Cameras with notice would have only caused him to abuse children elsewhere. Hidden cameras would still have allowed children to be abused. Sending prayers of healing for the children directly and indirectly affected and for the entire LAMB community. I can’t imagine that there is any settlement or justice that will satisfy parents knowing that he was allowed to continue past those 2015 incidents. And to those who say he was “in” with the admin. Who knows? He got to the school in the spring of 2013 and there were concerns within his first year. Hard to believe he was part of the in-crowd so quickly. This might have been pure arrogance - thinking that this type of thing couldn’t happen at LAMB or couldn’t happen with someone hired by the admin.

Not only that. Apparently one key fact being left out is that he was very popular. With parents, teachers, everyone (I have been told). They key thing to learn for anyone might be that such abusers can be charasmatic, meaning they are able to lie and charm their way out of situation. I have to believe that while astoundingly ignorant and reprehensible, the admins actually just plain believed him. And they weren’t the only ones. Clearly it’s important to look at this and create policies that would prevent such blindness.

Just like the charismatic teacher at Oyster, even after the admission some people didn't want to believe it was true because he presented as such a trustworthy and wonderful teacher! Sad all around situation for those involved.

The key difference between Oyster and LAMB is that the former Oyster teacher was arrested the same day the parents brought the matter to Oyster's attention (the school administrators called the police immediately). They didn't give him a second chance to molest more children, like LAMB. Further, they didn't walk him to the edge of campus like Beauvoir and THEN call the police (thus giving him an opportunity to evade arrest for 5 years and possibly molest more children while on the run). Oyster handled the situation the best way possible, and that's why the administrators are not/never were the targets of lawsuits.

In summary: LAMB is no Oyster.