A Hebrew Preschool was in the past accused of ignoring allegations that a teacher was sexually abusing children. Washington, D.C.’s attorney general filed a lawsuit last week against them saying the school created an “environment ripe for abuse.”
Hebrew Preschool Ignored D.C. Laws
In a release, Attorney General Karl A. Racine said that the Washington Congregation routinely ignored D.C. laws designed to protect children.
The Office of the Attorney claims the Northwest D.C. synagogue placed children in the care of “unqualified, unsupervised staff. They were operating in violation of its license.” They mislead parents about the safety of their products.
Email Received in August 2018 about Allegations of Sexual Abuse
Parents with children at WHC’s Edlavitch-Tyser Early Childhood Center received an email in August 2018. The email disclosed that there had been allegations of sexual abuse at the child care center.
Hebrew Preschool Families Filed a Suit Against the Synagogue
In 2019, Several families filed suit against the synagogue. They alleged the school ignored signs. One of its teachers was sexually abusing children. The teacher took at least seven 3- and 4-year-old children to remote areas on campus. Then was sexually abusive with them.
Complaints of inappropriate behavior were brought to the school officials soon after his hiring in March 2016. Though parents claimed the abuse happened for more than a year.
WHC Ignored Child Safety Laws and Protect Children in its Care
“Washington Hebrew Congregation repeatedly ignored District child safety laws and failed to protect children in its care—and as a result, fifteen children have reported abuse,” Racine said in a statement Wednesday. “Our lawsuit against Washington Hebrew seeks restitution for these children and their families.”
The assistant teacher never criminally charged. The teacher was employed at the center from about March 2016 to August 2018.
WHC Violated D.C.’s Consumer Protection Procedures Act
WHC violated D.C.’s Consumer Protection Procedures Act by ignoring the law requiring child care centers to have at least two staff members always present with children. In turn, the hiring assistant teachers failed to meet the minimum requirements for experience. Also the education for childcare providers. Therefore, the Office of the Attorney General claimed all of the above.
