Child Sex Abuse Charges Filed Against Beverly Hills Piano Teacher
Child sex abuse charges have been filed against Beverly Hills Piano teacher Hovanes John Jihanyan. The French Conservatory of Music is one of California’s most popular and prestigious performing arts schools. Located in the illustrious Beverly Hills community, the school has a renowned history since its establishment in the early 1900s, bringing 90 years of elite music education to the Los Angeles area. Recently, a piano teacher at the school, Hovanes John Jihanyan, has been arrested on suspicion of sexually abusing a minor student who attended the school.
The Victim
The Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) indicated that they received a report of suspected child sexual abuse by one of the school’s piano teachers. The victim is a former student who was 13 when the alleged abuse began. The sexual abuse of the minor happened many times in several different locations, including Jihanyan’s studio at the French Conservatory of Music.
Hovanes John Jihanyan is 41 years old and a resident of Van Nuys. Currently, the alleged victim is 14 years old. The child sex abuse charges stem from alleged sexual misconduct said to have started in July of 2024.
After being given the report, the SMPD launched an investigation, which led authorities to serve search and arrest warrants. Eventually, Jihanyan was taken into custody in Encino and child sex abuse charges filed
The Child Sex Abuse Charges
Hovanes Jihanyan was booked and charged with five separate sex crimes, including:
- Lewd acts on a minor 13 years or younger
- Sexual exploitation of a minor
- Possession of child pornography
- Continuous sex abuse of a minor 13 years or younger
- Sexual assault on a minor 13 years or younger with the perpetrator being 10 years older
The SMPD has indicated that the case was filed with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
Other Child Sex Abuse Victims May Exist
Despite Hovanes Jihanyan not having a prior criminal history, the music teacher is believed to have potentially abused other minor victims. As a result, law enforcement is encouraging the public to immediately come forward with any information that they have regarding sex crimes committed by the piano teacher.
- Detective Lizette Hardgrave can be reached by calling (310) 458-2256
- Sergeant David Haro can be reached by calling (310) 458-8952
- The Watch Commander desk has an open line 24 hours a day, which can be reached by calling (310) 458-8427.
Taking Legal Action: Filing a Child Sexual Assault Lawsuit in California
Survivors of child sexual abuse have the right to take legal action and file a civil suit against their abuser for financial compensation for all of the damages they suffered including but not limited to:
- Pain and suffering
- Punitive damages
- Medical expenses related to the sexual abuse
- Lost wages or earning capacity
- Counseling and mental health services
- Emotional trauma
Since California no longer has a statute of limitations on child sexual abuse claims due to AB 452 for cases that occurred after January 1, 2024, victims have greater flexibility to hold their abusers financially accountable for their inexcusable and unlawful actions.
Child sexual abuse survivors who were harmed before 2024 may either file a claim before they turn 40 years old or they will have five years to do so after discovering damages sustained from prior child sexual assault.
Speak to a California Child Sexual Abuse Attorney Today
To have your child sexual abuse case reviewed by an experienced attorney, you are welcome to call our California child sexual abuse lawyer at Beck Law P.C. at (707) 576-7175 to schedule an initial consultation.
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