A troubling legal case against California’s renowned Sierra Canyon School has gained public attention as it moves ahead. The lawsuit accuses the institution of failing to address a “kissing club” run by students, which allegedly involved the sexual abuse of children as young as seven years old.
In a decision made on Thursday, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge David B. Gelfound ruled that the lawsuit could not be transferred to private proceedings, allowing it to remain in the public eye as it progresses towards a potential jury trial, as reported by FOX 11 Los Angeles.
This legal action was initiated by the parents of a girl, now nine years old, referred to as E.K., who was reportedly only seven when the alleged abuse began.
According to court documents obtained by FOX 11, the family claims that older female students orchestrated a “kissing club” in school bathrooms. Younger children were allegedly pressured into participating in sexual activities, which included kissing, genital touching, and oral copulation.
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The exterior of Sierra Canyon School, a distinguished private institution known for its celebrity students and elite athletes, as shown on Google Maps.
The lawsuit claims the behavior escalated because of inadequate supervision by teachers and administrators at the prestigious Chatsworth campus, which has educated celebrity children including Kendall and Kylie Jenner, Bronny and Bryce James, Willow Smith and other high-profile students.
FILE – NBA star LeBron James looks on during the game between Sierra Canyon High School and Perry High School at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Dec 11, 2021. (Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images)
According to FOX 11 Los Angeles, E.K.’s mother, Pantea, emotionally described the toll the alleged abuse has taken on her family, saying she felt helpless watching her daughter suffer harm she believes could have been prevented had stronger protections been in place at the school.
“As a mother, the feeling of being hopeless and not being able to protect my child from this harm that 100% could have been avoided is crushing,” she said. “My focus is on the systems and the safeguards that have failed to protect my child.”
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The lawsuit also alleges school officials later discovered videos of the incidents on students’ cellphones but failed to promptly notify law enforcement or families, potentially violating California mandatory child abuse reporting laws.
Judge Gelfound referenced the severity of the allegations in his written ruling.
“Here, (the parents) allege that E.K. was repeatedly harassed and bullied by older students during school hours, including forcing her to kiss older girls and touch their genital area,” the judge reportedly wrote.
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“(The parents) further allege that the activity was allowed to continue because of the lack of adequate supervision by teachers, administrators and other agents, and that when Sierra Canyon became aware of the bullying and assault, it took no action.”
Attorney Sam Dordulian, who represents the family, told FOX 11 this is the second lawsuit filed against Sierra Canyon involving similar allegations.
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A view of Sierra Canyon School’s campus in Chatsworth, California, the elite private school at the center of a lawsuit involving alleged student misconduct. (Sierra Canyon School Facebook)
Sierra Canyon has denied the allegations and says school officials took concerns about student welfare seriously once they were raised in 2024, maintaining that administrators conducted a thorough review and implemented what they believed were appropriate corrective measures.
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“Please know that protecting our students and ensuring that the truth is upheld remain at the core of our mission,” the school said in a statement to Fox 11. “We have never ignored concerns related to student care.”
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The school added that the allegations are “untrue and do not accurately reflect what occurred,” and continues to dispute the family’s claims, arguing the allegations misrepresent what actually happened on campus.
Sierra Canyon School has long been known as a celebrity-favorite campus attended by the Kardashian-Jenners, the children of LeBron James, Will Smith and Jamie Foxx, along with a long list of elite basketball prospects and future NBA players.
Left to right: North West, Lala Anthony, Kim Kardashian and Khloe Kardashian watch court side at the Sierra Canyon vs Christ The King boys basketball game at Sierra Canyon High School on Dec. 12, 2022, in Chatsworth, California. (Cassy Athena/Getty Images)
The case has attracted widespread attention because of Sierra Canyon’s reputation as one of Southern California’s most elite private schools, known for educating the children of celebrities, entertainers and professional athletes. Tuition for high school students reportedly exceeds $46,000 annually before additional fees and expenses.
Located in Chatsworth, Sierra Canyon is a private college-preparatory school serving students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade.
Now that the judge has refused to move the case into private proceedings, the lawsuit enters the discovery phase, where attorneys could seek internal emails, school records, disciplinary files and sworn testimony as both sides prepare for a possible jury trial.
Fox News Digital reached out to Sierra Canyon School and attorneys representing the family for additional comment.
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