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Doe v. Santa Barbara Unified  ·  Filed May 13, 2026

A special needs child was abused at school. His mother is fighting back.

On May 2, 2025, the sexual abuse of a minor special education student at Dos Pueblos High School came to light. He had been abused at school by people the district paid to care for him. The Veen Firm has filed suit on his behalf.

Doe v. Santa Barbara Unified

The case in plain language.

Case Fast Facts
Filed May 13, 2026
Court Santa Barbara Superior
Plaintiff John Doe, minor
Guardian ad Litem Jane Doe (application to be filed)
Defendants SBUSD + 3 employees
Causes of action 8 (sexual battery, negligence, etc.)
Tort claim rejected November 19, 2025
Why we are fighting

Children who cannot speak for themselves deserve a voice.

A minor special education student at Dos Pueblos High School was sexually abused by the very paraprofessionals the Santa Barbara Unified School District trusted to care for him. The abuse occurred in restrooms and other secluded areas, while he was being assisted with toileting and hygiene. Because of his disabilities, he cannot fully describe what happened.

His mother is now asking the District to answer for it. So is the Sheriff's Office, which arrested one of the named defendants in a separate sexual battery case in May 2025 and continues to seek additional survivors.

Children with developmental disabilities are at least four times more likely to be sexually abused than children without disabilities, according to Disability Rights California. Most never get heard. This case is for them too.

Survivors, witnesses, and families

Please come forward.

If you have information that could help this case, or if you suspect your own child was harmed, you have options. You do not have to talk to us. You do not have to talk to anyone. But please talk to someone.

Step One · Advocate
Standing Together to End Sexual Assault

STESA is Santa Barbara County's rape crisis center. The Sheriff's Office named them as their community partner. Free, confidential, English and Spanish, 24 hours a day.

(805) 564-3696
Step Two · Law Enforcement
SB County Sheriff's Office

Sheriff's detectives have publicly asked for additional survivors and witnesses associated with the defendant. Speak directly with Detective Kiesow or submit anonymously.

(805) 681-4150

Anonymous tip: (805) 681-4171

Step Three · Speak With Us
The Veen Firm

Use the secure intake form below or call our office. There is no obligation. There is no fee for the conversation. Everything you share is held in confidence.

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What the lawsuit alleges

The facts of the case.

The full complaint is publicly available below. This is a brief summary of what it alleges.

The Student
A minor boy with developmental and communication disabilities. He is enrolled in the special education program at Dos Pueblos High School in Goleta. Because he is a minor, he is identified in the case only as John Doe. His mother appears as Jane Doe, who will seek appointment as Guardian ad Litem. They are not being named to protect their privacy.
What Happened
On May 2, 2025, evidence of his sexual abuse at school came to light. The complaint alleges that the abuse occurred in restroom facilities and other secluded areas of the campus, where the named defendants supervised him without other adults present. He has limited ability to describe what happened in detail.
Who Is Sued
Three Dos Pueblos special education employees, plus the Santa Barbara Unified School District and its Board of Education. The complaint also names Does 1 through 100 to allow for additional individuals to be added as discovery progresses.
Law Enforcement
On May 8, 2025, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office arrested one of the named defendants for misdemeanor sexual battery in a separate incident involving an adult victim. The Sheriff issued a public request for additional survivors. The criminal case and our civil case are separate, but they share a defendant.
The Claims
Eight causes of action: sexual battery, battery, negligent hiring and supervision, negligent failure to warn or train, negligent supervision of a minor, violation of the right to privacy under the California Constitution, invasion of privacy, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The complaint alleges the District knew or should have known that personnel entrusted with the care of special needs students posed a risk of harm, and that policies designed to prevent abuse were not implemented or enforced.
Tort Claim
The required government tort claim was timely presented to the District on October 22, 2025, amended on November 13, 2025, and rejected on November 19, 2025. The lawsuit is filed within the deadline set by Government Code section 945.6.

These predators do this because they know it is hard for these children to be heard. That is exactly why we are speaking up.

Steven A. Kronenberg · The Veen Firm
A pattern, not an isolated event

What Dos Pueblos families experienced in May 2025.

The arrest at the center of this lawsuit was not the only one that week. Two former Dos Pueblos employees were arrested within 24 hours of each other on sexual misconduct allegations.

May 2, 2025
Our client's mother discovers evidence that her son has been sexually abused at school. She seeks emergency medical attention.
May 3, 2025
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office begins investigating a separate report of a sexual battery against an adult woman at a post-prom party in Goleta. The suspect is a Dos Pueblos paraeducator.
Source: Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office press release, May 8, 2025.
May 3, 2025
The District places the paraeducator on administrative leave and notifies law enforcement.
Source: Statement from DPHS Principal Bill Woodard to families.
May 8, 2025
Sheriff's deputies arrest the paraeducator at his home in Lompoc. He is booked at the Northern Branch Jail on misdemeanor sexual battery and held on $10,000 bail. The Sheriff issues a public call for additional survivors.
Source: Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office press release, May 8, 2025.
May 9, 2025
A separate Dos Pueblos High School employee, a 42-year-old former assistant football coach and youth pastor, is arrested by Sheriff's detectives on multiple alleged felony child sex crimes. The Sheriff again asks the public to identify additional survivors.
Source: The Santa Barbara Independent, May 12, 2025.
October 22, 2025
On behalf of our client, The Veen Firm submits a government tort claim to Santa Barbara Unified School District as required by Government Code section 910.
November 19, 2025
The District rejects the claim, clearing the way for a civil lawsuit.
May 13, 2026
The Veen Firm files the civil complaint in Santa Barbara Superior Court on behalf of the minor plaintiff, John Doe.
Confidential intake

Tell us what you know.

Get started in three steps. First, complete the secure case evaluation form below. Second, a Veen Firm team member will follow up with you, usually within one business day. Third, if we can help, you will work with one of our attorneys. There is no obligation, and there is no fee for the conversation.

About your privacy. Submitting this form does not create an attorney-client relationship and does not commit you to anything. Information you share is held in confidence by our office. We do not share it with law enforcement, the school district, or anyone else without your consent. If you would prefer to speak first with a victim advocate rather than a lawyer, please contact STESA at (805) 564-3696.

This form is monitored Monday through Friday during business hours. If you are in crisis or in danger, please call 911, the STESA 24-hour hotline at (805) 564-3696, or the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673.

Support and reporting resources

You have options.

These organizations support survivors of sexual violence and people with disabilities in California. None of them are law firms. None of them charge fees. Most are available 24 hours a day.

Standing Together to End Sexual Assault
Santa Barbara County's rape crisis center since 1974.
Hotline(805) 564-3696
Office(805) 963-6832
Websbstesa.org
SB County Sheriff's Office
Detectives continue to seek information about the defendant in this case.
Detective(805) 681-4150
Tip line(805) 681-4171
WebAnonymous tip form
Victim-Witness Assistance Program
Free advocacy through the Santa Barbara County DA's office.
Direct(805) 568-2400
Toll free(855) 840-3232
Webcountyofsb.org/da
Disability Rights California
California's federally-designated Protection & Advocacy agency.
Main(916) 504-5800
Intake1-800-776-5746
Webdisabilityrightsca.org
The Arc of California
Statewide advocacy for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Office(916) 552-6619
Email[email protected]
Webthearcca.org
National Sexual Assault Hotline
Operated by RAINN. Confidential, 24/7, English and Spanish.
Hotline1-800-656-4673
Chathotline.rainn.org
Webrainn.org
For the press and the public

Documents and press materials.

Members of the media: please direct inquiries to the press line at (510) 560-6731 or [email protected]. Spokespersons for this matter and responsible for this press release: Steven A. Kronenberg; Anthony L. Label. The complaint, the May 8, 2025 Sheriff's release, and contemporaneous public coverage of related Dos Pueblos High School arrests are linked below.

  • Complaint for Damages and Demand for Jury Trial
    Filed in Santa Barbara Superior Court · May 13, 2026 · PDF
    Download
  • Press release: Lawsuit filed on behalf of special needs student abused at Dos Pueblos High School
    The Veen Firm · May 18, 2026 · PDF
    Download
  • SB County Sheriff: Suspect Arrested for Sexual Battery, Additional Survivors Sought
    Sheriff's Office release on the arrest of defendant Juarez · May 8, 2025
    View
  • Noozhawk: DA Charges Goleta Pastor, Assistant Coach with Possession of Child Porn
    Public-record coverage of separate DPHS-affiliated arrest one day after defendant Juarez · May 16, 2025
    View
  • SB Independent: Former Goleta Youth Pastor and High School Coach Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography Charges
    Guilty plea and sentencing coverage · October 24, 2025
    View
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Anthony L. Label

Annie Wu

Theo J. Emison

Steven A. Kronenberg

Josephine L. Alioto

Jessica Ng

Molly Ryan

Bryan Ceglio

Oliver Vallejo

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