Southern California School Counselor Charged with Molesting 15 Children – Child Sex Abuse Lawyers
Southern California School Counselor Charged with Molesting 15 Children
A former Ventura County school counselor who was arrested on the suspicion of molesting 13 children has been charged with additional crimes after two more child victims were identified by authorities. The additional charges faced by David Lane Braff, Jr. (age 42), of Thousand Oaks, were announced by the Ventura County DA’s Office on October 23, 2025.
Braff had been previously arrested on November 22, 2024 for allegedly molesting eight students at McKevett Elementary School in Santa Paula. The crimes he was arrested for had allegedly occurred between 2015 and 2019, while Braff worked as a school counselor.
When Braff was taken into custody, he was working as an assistant principal and school counselor at Ingenium Charter Middle School in Los Angeles.
On April 29, 2025, prosecutors identified five new victims and filed an amended criminal complaint, which now included 14 new felony counts of lewd acts on a child under 14 years old. Four of these new victims were also students at McKevett Elementary School. The fifth victim was allegedly abused between 2004 and 2005 while the suspect worked with the Conejo Recreation and Park District in Thousand Oaks.
On October 22, 2025, prosecutors filed a second amendment to the complaint to include two more child victims. One of the victims was also a student at McKevett Elementary School; the second victim was a student at Bright Star Schools in Los Angeles, where Braff worked from November 2019 to December 2021.
To summarize, Braff is currently accused of molesting 15 children. The total number of violations has increased to 33 counts of lewd acts with a child under the age of 14, according to prosecutors. The charges include allegations that Braff took advantage of a position of trust, preyed on vulnerable victims, and committed the crimes with planning and sophistication.
Braff’s full employment history shows that he has held multiple jobs that involved working with children over the past 25 years. Past employers include the following:
- Conejo Recreation and Park District (April 2000 to August 2005)
- Conejo Valley Unified School District (September 2003 to April 2015)
- Conejo Valley Unified School District (2012 to 2015)
- Moorpark Unified School District (January 2006 to August 2015)
- The ABA Network, Inc. (July 2014 to August 2014)
- Santa Paula Unified School District (August 2015 to November 2019)
- Bright Star Schools, Los Angeles (November 2019 to undisclosed)
- Rio School District, Oxnard (September 2019 to undisclosed)
- Sports Academy, Thousand Oaks (June 2021 to November 2024)
- Ventura Unified School District, Ventura (January 2022 to February 2023)
- Ingenium Charter Middle School, Canoga Park (March 2023 to November 2024)
Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko made the following statement:
The defendant is now accused of molesting even more young victims across multiple years and locations. Our investigators and prosecutors remain committed to uncovering the full extent of this defendant’s crimes, and we urge anyone with information to contact our office.”
The case remains under investigation. During the arraignment hearing on October 23, 2025, Braff pleaded not guilty to the additional charges. He remains in custody at the Ventura County Jail without bail. Braff’s next court appearance is scheduled for January 6, 2026 at the Ventura County Superior Court.
Unfortunately, there are many cases similar to this. Long-time predators get jobs working with children and continue to abuse innocent kids, never being held accountable. If you ofr a member of your family suffered harm due to abuse at the hands of David Lane Braff, Jr., it is important that you seek legal help as soona s possible. Based on the details surrounding your specific situation, you could have the right to file a lawsuit.
For more information about the legal options available to you and your right to file a lawsuit for child sexual abuse, do not hesitate to reach out to our law firm as soon as possible.
Sexual molestation and sexual abuse of minors in schools can have lasting consequences. Examples of the harm that may occur could include the following:
- Sexually transmitted infections
- Unwanted pregnancies
- Complications related to pregnancy
- Injuries to genitals and reproductive organs
- Other physical injuries, like broken bones, dislocations, lacerations, etc. Especially when there was a physical struggle or the use of force
- Psychological injuries, including post-traumatic stress, depression, anxiety, panic, fear, and more
- Increased risk of substance abuse
- Increased risk of self-harm
- And more
Without a doubt, child sexual abuse can have lasting consequences. Survivors of child sexual abuse may deal with the consequences of said abuse for the rest of their lives. They may struggle to form normal relationships with friends or family, may struggle with people in authority positions (like bosses, managers, etc.), and may be affected in other ways as well.
The effects of school child sexual abuse can be lifelong. No matter the specific harm that you or a loved one suffered, it is important that you seek legal help as soon as possible. You could have the right to file a lawsuit, even if it has been years since the abuse happened.
Can I File a Lawsuit?Yes, you could have the right to file a lawsuit. The right to file a lawsuit is based on the responsibility that school districts, and other entities that work with children, have to keep children safe. Specifically, school districts must subject all their staff to background checks, training, and supervision. They must also have the necessary policies and procedures in place to address suspected abuse and prevent future abuse. In general, when schools and school districts fail to protect students, then they can be liable for all harm resulting from the sexual abuse, and they could be sued.
Can I still file a lawsuit if the sexual molestation happened many years ago?Yes, even in cases in which the abuse happened decades ago, survivors may still have the right to file claims. In fact, class action lawsuits are also likely.
This is a very important question. All claims are subject to a statute of limitations or a deadline to sue. If claimants miss the filing deadline, then they can lose their right to sue entirely. Under California, victims of abuse that occurred before January 1, 2024 have until their 40thbirthday or 5 years from the discovery of the harm caused by the abuse to bring forth a claim.
All of the alleged abuse mentioned above happened before 2024; therefore, victims will have until the age of 40 or later if the discovery rule applies to file their claims. To ensure that you have a thorough understanding of the total time that you have to file your claim, contact us today. Do not fall into the belief that you can no longer sue because it has been years since the abuse happened. Fight for your rights!
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