One of four girls allegedly molested by a former Rowland Unified School District teacher who’s already facing criminal charges is seeking unspecified damages in a newly filed lawsuit.
The suit filed Friday in Los Angeles Superior Court alleges that Jose Cruz Martinez molested the now 8-year-old plaintiff, identified only as Jane Doe, on campus during the 2017-18 school year.
The complaint filed against the district and Martinez on the girl’s behalf by her guardian alleges sexual battery, sexual harassment, negligence and both intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress.
A RUSD representative could not be immediately reached for comment.
Martinez, who taught second grade at Rowland Elementary School, allegedly molested four girls on or between Aug. 1, 2017, and April 1, 2018.
The plaintiff’s suit states she was 7 years old when she was abused.
Martinez, 54, of Rowland Heights, pleaded not guilty on April 26 to four counts of felony lewd acts upon a child and one misdemeanor count of child molesting.
“Martinez abused his position of authority to repeatedly engage in inappropriate sexual conduct with Jane Doe…,” the suit alleges.
Much of the conditioning and sexual misconduct occurred “”on school grounds and in the classroom, which was in plain sight of other administrators and staff,” according to the complaint.
In addition to inappropriately touching the girl, Hernandez painted the child’s nails and gave her “gifts and treats,” the suit alleges.
The district knew or should have known that Martinez had engaged in similar misconduct with other students, according to the suit.
If convicted as charged, Martinez faces a possible maximum sentence of 60 years to life in prison and must register as a sex offender for life. His next scheduled court hearing is Aug. 29 at Pomona Superior Court.