Probation Officer John Domeniconi Accused of Child Sexual Abuse
Former San Mateo County Juvenile Probation Officer John Domeniconi accused of child sexual abuse. A juvenile probation officer is supposed to keep kids safe and ensure they follow the right path in life. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case for former juvenile probation officer John Domeniconi in San Mateo County. A number of lawsuits have been filed alleging sexual abuse and molestation by the very officer who was assigned to assist troubled youth. Abuse victims filed lawsuits against the county because they allege the county was made aware of the abuse and did nothing to stop it or to prevent further abuse from occurring.
12 Lawsuits Filed to Date
Thus far, 12 lawsuits have been filed against San Mateo County. Ten lawsuits were filed earlier this year, and two additional lawsuits were filed alleging that the county did not protect juveniles under its care from Probation Officer John Domeniconi.
The lawsuits represent many victims who are collectively identified as “John Doe.” The victims alleged sexual abuse, molestation, and harassment while they were detained or following their detention in Mateo County. The abuse is said to have occurred from the 1990s through 2015 under the supervision of the probation officer John Domeniconi.
Who Is Probation Officer John Domeniconi?
John Domeniconi is the name of the juvenile probation officer accused of child sexual abuse. Domeniconi was a San Mateo County probation officer and retired in 2016. Domeniconi is accused of misusing his authority and abusing several juveniles while they were either held in custody or following detention in the county.
The role of a juvenile probation officer is to oversee youths who have been accused or convicted of crimes. The officer is to provide guidance and ensure that the youths do not follow a path of crime. In this case, Domeniconi died in 2020. However, the victims are still pursuing legal recourse against San Mateo County.
How Did Abuse Allegedly Occur?
The probation officer allegedly committed a number of abusive actions against juvenile victims. According to lawsuits, Domeniconi performed strip searches while juveniles were in custody. He allegedly forced juvenile victims to touch themselves, grope and touch their genitals, put his finger into their anuses, touch them with his own private parts, and performed oral sex or forced them to perform oral sex.
“Children in youth detention could not be more at risk of such predation than when they are incarcerated, alone and separated from their family members,” stated social justice advocate Beth Von Emster, member of the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California (ACLUNC). She added, “The County’s moral obligation to protect them from harm could not be higher.”
Victims of Probation Officer John Domeniconi Suffered Harm
Victims of sexual abuse often suffer severe long-term damages. In this case, the lawsuits indicate that the victims suffered many consequences of molestation, including mental, emotional, and psychological problems since the abuse. They report having depression, anxiety, and problems interacting with others and with personal relationships. They also have headaches, stress, nightmares, trust issues, and difficulty dealing with authority figures. The lawsuits indicate that these issues caused the victims to lose out on educational, employment, and professional opportunities, which caused a loss of earnings. The damages are substantial and permanent.
Community Calls for Independent Investigation
Lawsuits have been filed against San Mateo County because of their knowledge of alleged sexual abuse allegations. The victims in the case stated that they reported the abuse at the time it happened. However, nothing was done. When allegations of abuse are made, there is a requirement and expectation that the matter will be properly reported and acted upon. Instead, the allegations were ignored, and the perpetrator remained employed and was able to continue abuse for twenty years.
The victims of Probation Officer John Dimoniconi and the community are calling for an investigation and changes to be made to prevent the misuse of power. The San Mateo County Board is conducting internal investigations and states that an independent investigation is unnecessary.
If you or a loved one are the victim of child sexual abuse in San Mateo County or elsewhere in California, we can help you get the legal justice you deserve. Contact our legal team to speak with a California child sex abuse attorney at Beck Law at (707) 576-7175 for a confidential consultation.
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