Teacher Colleen Jo Matarico Accused of Molesting John Burroughs Middle School Student
Colleen Jo Matarico, a Los Angeles schoolteacher, has been accused and charged with sexually assaulting a 13-year-old student. Matarico taught at John Burroughs Middle School. As stated by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), Matarico was arrested on November 7, 2024.
According to the reports, Colleen Jo Matarico allegedly gave the minor student marijuana and sexually abused the child in the classroom and her car. The minor was sexually abused repeatedly, but the length of time the alleged abuse took place has not been released. Since her arrest, the LAPD believes that there is the possibility that there are other victims.
If you or someone you know was victimized by sexual assault, it may be possible not only to ensure their abuser faces criminal penalties but also to be held financially accountable. At Beck Law P.C., our California child sexual abuse attorney knows the physical and emotional harm that victims of sexual abuse suffer. Victims should understand their rights and that liable parties, like negligent school systems, can be made answerable for the damages vulnerable students suffered.
Who is Colleen Jo Matarico?
Reviewing the information available, Colleen Jo Matarico works for the Los Angeles Unified School District as a special education teacher for John Burroughs Middle School. She is being accused of grooming her 13-year-old victim and having sexual intercourse with the student.
Currently, she is being held on a $1.3 million bail. This is an ongoing investigation. Anyone who has information about other victims or this case is encouraged to contact the LAPD.
To speak with a detective at the LAPD’s Juvenile Division Abused Child Section, the number is 424-259-7097.
Anonymous tips can call the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-222-8477. Tips can also be submitted online at www.lacrimestoppers.org.
Colleen Jo Matarico and School Liability
While any student can be harmed by a teacher, staff member, or other school administrator, it is children with disabilities who are the most vulnerable. In fact, special needs children are three times more likely to experience sexual abuse than their counterparts who do not have disabilities.
It is a school’s legal duty to protect students from harm like sexual abuse. A school that knows about abuse or has constructive knowledge of sources of harm must act. When a school fails its duty to students and allows abuse to occur and, even worse, continue, then the school may be held financially liable to the victims that were subjected to the abuse.
Victims of Sexual Abuse at School
There is still more to be learned about this particular case involving alleged sexual predator Colleen Jo Matarico. However, most child sexual abuse that happens in the school system is largely preventable. In many cases, there are several signs and red flags that are either missed or overlooked due to a school hoping to keep things quiet. While a school sweeps abuse under the rug and denies it happens to students in their care, time passes, and many students are victimized.
Speak to a California Child Sexual Abuse Attorney Today
If you would like to have your child sexual abuse case reviewed, please call our California child sexual abuse lawyer at Beck Law P.C. at (707) 576-7175 to schedule an initial, free consultation.
