A civil lawsuit brought against the Fairfax School District and a Bakersfield church in a child sex abuse case has been resolved with a settlement exceeding $5 million, reached just before the case was set to go to trial in April 2026.
The case, filed in 2020 by Rodriguez & Associates, centered on allegations that a former vice principal sexually abused an 11-year-old student between 2006 and 2007. The lawsuit claimed that both the school district and the Assembly of God Church failed to protect the child, despite warning signs and prior concerns. Damages for the plaintiff included physical injury, ongoing emotional distress, and psychological harm as a result of the abuse, requiring continued care and treatment.
According to the complaint, the abuse took place in an environment where proper safeguards were either missing or not enforced. The Rodriguez & Associates trial team argued that both institutions had a responsibility to act and prevent harm, but failed to do so.
“This case is about how our church and our school, in this case, ignored, failed, and ultimately betrayed an 11-year-old girl,” said Daniel Rodriguez, founder and president of Rodriguez & Associates. “The abuse in this case was 100% preventable because of multiple red flags.”
The case was nearing trial when the Fairfax School District agreed to a $5 million settlement after extended negotiations. The terms of the settlement with the Assembly of God Church remain confidential. While no financial recovery can undo the harm suffered, the settlement represents accountability for the failures that allowed the abuse to occur and provides meaningful support for the survivor.
In a separate criminal case in 2013, the former vice principal pleaded no contest to a felony charge involving a minor and was sentenced to three years in prison.
The Rodriguez & Associates team was led by Daniel Rodriguez, along with senior partner Chantal Trujillo, partner Danay Gonzalez, and associate Alexis Paredez.
Congratulations to the entire Rodriguez & Associates team on this significant result and their continued commitment to pursuing accountability and justice.