Sponsored message
Logged in as
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen

This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

News

Teacher's Aide Accused of Committing Lewd Acts on Kids, But Victims May Not Be From School Where He Worked

handcuffs-shutterstock.jpg
Photo by Gunnar Pippel via Shutterstock

One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.

A 25-year-old man who worked in a temporary post as a teacher's aide at Gratts Elementary School in the Westlake district was arrested this morning on suspicion of committing lewd acts on children. The suspect, Jorge Dominguez, was subsequently terminated by the Los Angeles Unified School District.In a statement issued today, LAUSD Superintendent John Deasy said the allegations against the employee, who has worked at the school since 2004 and most recently as a temporary 6-hour-per-day worker, are "horrifying and sickening."

The LAUSD clarifies, though, that at this time there are no known victims at Gratts Elementary School, which is also known as Gratts Learning Academy for Young Scholars.

Deasy adds that the LAUSD is co-operating with the Los Angeles Police Department in the investigation.

Per the new protocol, the school is notifying the parents and guardians regarding the arrest and investigation, and the campus will offer crisis counseling or any special assistance needed.

Dominguez was arrested by detectives from the LAPD's Juvenile Division at around 5 a.m. Thursday, says City News Service. Jail records indicate he was being held at the LAPD's downtown jail on $100,000 bail.

One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.

You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.

If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

Make your tax-deductible donation today