Preschool Again Accused of Abusing Toddlers with Push Pins

An Agoura Hills preschool was sued today for the second time in three months by a mother of a child who alleges that two teachers disciplined boys by pressing push pins into their legs.

The plaintiff is identified in the Los Angeles Superior Court lawsuit as Ventura County resident Ashley M. and her son as K.M.S. The suit names Tutor Time of Agoura Hills, alleging negligence, negligent supervision and hiring, failure to report abuse, assault and battery, breach of contract and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Teachers Rosa Nepomuseno and Jessica Morales also are defendants.

Four plaintiffs identified only as Nicole Z., Kim M., Debbie S. and Krista L. filed a similar lawsuit against the school in on March 9. A woman who answered the phone at the facility at that time identified herself as the manager said the center has been under new ownership since August. She declined further comment.

According to the new complaint, the boy was enrolled at the center in 2013 and 2014. Other teachers witnessed the alleged punishment inflicted by Nepomuseno and Morales, but did not report the abuse as required by law, according to the complaint.

The county Department of Social Services conducted an investigation and determined that serious violations occurred, the suit states.

“However, the defendants hid this information from Ashley M.,” the suit states.

The failure to report delayed treatment and counseling for K.M.S., worsening his injuries and damages, the suit states.

The written contracts the adult plaintiffs signed with the center stated that their children would be provided with “the best” in quality childcare, that only “non-physical disciplinary techniques” would be used and that all suspected child abuse would be promptly reported, the suit states.

City News Service