A private school teacher was recently taken into custody for alleged inappropriate conduct with a student, according to officials from the Santa Clarita Sheriff’s Station. The teacher – 35-year-old Carl Astrera of Panorama City – worked at Legacy Christian Academy, a private Christian school in Valencia. He was listed on the school’s website at a Computer / IT teacher for grades K-8th. He has been charged with one felony count of annoying / molesting a child under 18.
Authorities state that Astrera was arrested after a month-long investigation. Investigators also revealed that the alleged inappropriate conduct with the student had lasted roughly a year and a half. Officials have stated that the alleged victim is an 11-year-old male student who reported that Astrera would say inappropriate things to him and touch him in ways that made him uncomfortable. Astrera was booked into the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station on Tuesday, March 26th and is out after posting $20,000 bail.
Authorities have also expressed concerns about other possible victims, as Astrera has been employed at Legacy Christian Academy for several years. They are encouraging anyone with information about the case or anyone who may have information about another incident to step forward.
Inappropriate conduct and sexual abuse from teachers to students happens frequently. This is often because teachers are in positions of authority and because they are often alone with students. Regardless of where the abuse takes place, it should never be tolerated. At The Senators (Ret.) Firm, our California sexual abuse lawyers help abuse survivors assert their rights to hold wrongdoers accountable, as well as schools or organizations that failed to stop the abuse.
For more information about sexual abuse claims, call (949) 557-5800.