Sierra Canyon School, attended by celebrities, goes to trial over allegations of abuse

Legal Proceedings Against Sierra Canyon School

A troubling lawsuit has emerged against Sierra Canyon School in California, alleging that the institution overlooked a student-led “kissing club” connected to claims of sexual abuse involving a seven-year-old girl. A judge recently dismissed the school’s request to keep the case private, meaning it will continue in public court, possibly leading to a jury trial.

Judge David B. Gelfound of the Los Angeles County Superior Court ruled on Thursday that the proceedings must remain open to the public. The lawsuit was initiated by the parents of a now nine-year-old girl known as EK, who claims the abuse started when she was just seven.

According to court documents examined, the allegations suggest that older girls at the school created a “kissing club” in the bathroom, where they pressured younger students into inappropriate acts like kissing and other sexual activities.

These claims indicate that a lack of adequate supervision by teachers and staff at the school’s prestigious Chatsworth campus allowed the situation to escalate. This campus has been known to host the children of numerous celebrities, such as Kendall and Kylie Jenner, and sports stars like Bronny James.

EK’s mother, Panthea, expressed her anguish over the impact the alleged abuse had on her family. She described feelings of helplessness as she witnessed her daughter suffer, believing that stronger protective measures could have prevented the harm.

Moreover, the lawsuit asserts that school officials discovered a video related to the incidents on a student’s phone but failed to alert the police or EK’s family immediately. This raises potential violations of California’s mandatory child abuse reporting laws.

In the judge’s written remarks, he underscored the gravity of the allegations, noting that EK faced ongoing harassment and bullying by older students, which included coercive behavior. The parents contend that school officials did not take appropriate action upon becoming aware of the bullying and alleged assaults.

Legal representative Sam Daudrian highlighted this lawsuit as the second filed against Sierra Canyon for similar issues.

Despite the allegations, Sierra Canyon School has disputed the claims, asserting that they took student welfare concerns seriously when they were raised and that thorough investigations were conducted thereafter. They maintain that the allegations misinterpret the events that transpired on campus.

The school, known for its affluent celebrity clientele—like the Kardashian-Jenners and LeBron James—comes under scrutiny as this case unfolds. With high school tuition reportedly exceeding $46,000 annually, the institution is recognized as one of the elite private schools in Southern California.

As the judge has chosen not to move the case to private proceedings, it will proceed into the discovery phase. During this time, both parties will have the opportunity to seek internal emails, school records, and sworn testimonies as they prepare for a potential trial.