FRESNO - Alleging childhood sexual abuse during the 1997-1998 school year, a former student is suing the Monson-Sultana Joint Union Elementary School District and its staff, alleging the district failed to exercise reasonable care in the employment of alleged assailant David Blancas.
The suit was filed April 6 by attorney Christopher B. Noyes on behalf of a plaintiff named as “A.M.” in Fresno County Superior Court, according to court documents. It's the latest in litigation that has cost the school district millions of dollars over the years.
The suit alleges that while in sixth grade, the plaintiff was sexually assaulted by Blancas, who is serving a life sentence in prison. Blancas was employed by the district through at least 2012, the suit notes.
The suit also alleges that Blancas permitted children to spend time alone in his classroom outside of classroom hours and after school, as well as taking children to amusement parks and other venues for the purpose of grooming them. The plaintiff alleges that he was sexually assaulted by Blancas during one such trip to an amusement park.
Blancas was arrested in March 2012 after a victim came forward, but the suit says that Blancas had likely been sexually assaulting students throughout his 20-year career as a teacher. It is also alleged that the district did not alter its level of supervision of Blancas after a report of molestation against him in 1995.
The plaintiff is seeking general and special damages, as well as costs and interest.