A jury has awarded a $2 million verdict to a former Barstow Unified School District student who was sexually abused by her elementary school teacher in the 1980s, her attorneys announced Wednesday.
The lawsuit stemmed from the abuse of a then-12-year-old student by her teacher at Cameron Elementary School, John Chiarella, according to law firm Manly, Stewart & Finaldi, which represented the plaintiff.
“The lawsuit alleged that in 1984, Chiarella sexually abused, molested and harassed [Jane Doe],” according to a statement issued by the firm. “It was alleged that Chiarella rubbed and touched the child over and under her clothes, in a sexual manner.”
“Barstow Unified could not provide any evidence that they conducted a background check prior to hiring Chiarella nor train their staff to recognize the grooming behavior conducted in the open by Chiarella in his classroom and on school grounds,” the statement added.
The attorneys said Chiarella taught at the school from 1980 until his arrest in 1999. He was sentenced to probation and ordered to register as a sex offender.
Chiarella has since died, according to court documents.
The lawyers are also representing nine other plaintiffs who allege abuse by the same teacher. Those cases are yet to go to trial.
“The amount of this jury verdict reflects the severe harm done to our client and the degree of neglect by school officials who allowed a predator to inflict this harm,” attorney John Manly said.
Attorneys claim a ‘long and sordid history’ at Barstow Unified
The attorneys allege in their statement that the district has demonstrated “a long and sordid history of allowing sexual predators to molest children in its schools.”
Manly also accused the district of lashing out at victim’s attorneys, “calling them ‘dogs’ in open court,” rather than accepting responsibility and issuing an apology.
“This utter disregard for the judicial process and the safety of children explains why Barstow Unified has allowed at least 15 predators to molest children during the past 40 years” Manly said. “This jury sent a message that change is mandatory.
Barstow USD plans to appeal verdict
Barstow USD officials blasted said Manly’s characterization of the legal proceedings.
“John Manly of Manly, Stewart & Finaldi recently made false public comments about a recent trial his firm participated in against Barstow Unified School District,” the district said in an written statement. “The Barstow Unified School District categorically denies the false and inflammatory statements that have circulated in media reports.”
“During the trial no school official ‘lashed out’ at any party, nor did any district representative call Plaintiff’s attorneys “dogs” or use similar language in open court or otherwise. These claims are entirely fabricated by Mr. Manly,” the statement said.
“We are disheartened that, following a legal proceeding, an attorney would seek to inflame public opinion through false and irresponsible public commentary,” the BUSD statement continued. “Such remarks do a disservice to the community, the court, and the pursuit of justice. The District will be appealing the jury’s decision.”
“The Barstow Unified School District remains committed to transparency, accountability, and the safety of every child in our care,” according to the district.
Manly, Stewart and Finaldi represents 23 other plaintiffs in seven additional lawsuits against the BUSD, alleging sexual abuse at various campuses between 1981 and 2006
Another lawsuit by the same law firm against the district related to sexual abuse by a former Barstow STEM Academy Principal, who was convicted of child molestation in 2016, resulted in a $2.38 million settlement in May of 2024.
Another lawsuit brought by the same law firm related to allegations of sex abuse of a student by a teacher at Barstow High School resulted in a $2.4 million settlement in 2021.
(This story has been updated with additional information.)
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Jury awards former Barstow Unified student $2 million for sex abuse in 1984
Reporting by Brian Day, Victorville Daily Press / Victorville Daily Press
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