Teacher at UCLA child care center arrested on supicion of child sex abuse

A instructor at one in every of UCLA’s youngster care facilities was arrested and booked on suspicion of intercourse abuse of a kid, the varsity instructed mother and father Wednesday.

Christopher Rodriguez was arrested by the UCLA Police Division after different workers members reported his “regarding habits,” and “inappropriate contact with a minor scholar,” in line with the college.

Rodriguez labored for the college’s Early Care and Training Division, which gives youngster care and different providers for UCLA college students, college and workers with younger youngsters.

Rodriguez was booked on 5 misdemeanor fees, together with single counts of false imprisonment, battery and willful cruelty to a toddler and two counts of sexual battery, stated Christina Christie, the dean of the UCLA College of Training and Info Research.

Whereas it was not clear precisely what led to Rodriguez’s arrest, UCLA stated that after he was reported by his colleagues, he was placed on administrative go away and has not been again to ECE since then.

Rodriguez was a longtime worker of the division, working on the college’s Krieger Heart from 1999 to 2001, then on the College Village ECE Heart till 2020, then again to the Krieger Heart from 2020 till he was placed on go away.

UCLA stated Rodriguez had been on go away since Dec. 18, when the investigation into him was opened. It was not clear what date Rodriguez was arrested, or if prosecutors have formally filed fees towards him.

The college stated it supplied a workforce of kid psychologists for the youngsters in its care, modified the gate codes on the facilities and is giving workers members refresher workshops about their authorized responsibility to report suspected abuse or neglect.

“Whereas we worth and honor our dedication to an open and sincere group, the delicate nature of this example limits what we’re capable of share with you,” the varsity wrote within the message to oldsters. “We additionally respect your respect for the privateness of the people concerned.”

In an announcement to The Occasions, UCLA referred to as the allegations “deeply regarding.”

“Assault or sexual harassment of any form is reprehensible and insupportable. Our prime precedence is the well-being and security of the youngsters in our care,” the college stated.