California Injury Lawyer Blog

A 25-year-old daycare worker at Trace Elementary School has been arrested on suspicion of inappropriately touching five girls during the school's after-school program, the San Jose Mercury News reported this week. Detectives are currently investigating whether there were more victims. The suspect, Keith Woodhouse, has been booked in the Santa Clara County Jail with no bail set. He was charged with 14 counts of lewd acts on a child younger than 14. Each count carries a maximum prison sentence of 15 years to life.

A letter was sent out to the parents of the approximately 60 students participating in the Child Development Center after-school program at Trace Elementary School. Woodhouse has worked at Trace Elementary school since August of 2010, and has worked with children in San Jose and Los Angeles since 1999. He has been a day care teacher, a camp counselor, as well as a Sunday school teacher.

Anyone with relevant information about this investigation is asked to contact Detective Eric Martin or Detective Sgt. Schriefer of the Child Exploitation Detail at 408-277-4102. Anyone who would like to remain anonymous can call the Crime Stoppers tip line at 408-947-STOP (7867), or visit http://svcrimestoppers.org.

Child Molestation Liability

According to the supervisor at the center, all employees undergo a criminal background check before working with children. Woodhouse reportedly passed the standard check. When inappropriate sexual acts occur at schools, churches, daycare facilities, or in other environments where the perpetrator is working in the course of employment, the supervising entity may be liable for negligent supervision. In such cases, the supervising facility may be financially responsible for the victims' emotional trauma, future medical needs, and pain and suffering. In a situation such as this one, while the investigation is ongoing, the parents of the victims would be well-advised to contact an experienced California child molestation victim attorney.

In 2010, Estey Bomberger obtained a $30 million verdict for a child molestation victim in Santa Clara County. Our molestation victim lawyers are closely monitoring the alleged sexual abuse acts at Trace Elementary school. If you believe your child was abused at Trace Elementary School and you would like more information about your rights and options, contact us for a confidential consulation.