Teacher who impregnated girl, 16, faked his death to trick her into getting abortion, claims lawsuit
PARAMOUNT, CALIFORNIA: A woman claims that she had a relationship with a high school band teacher in 2004-05 school year at the age of 16 when he allegedly impregnated her. Sandra is currently suing the Paramount Unified School District and the former band teacher, Steven Velasquez, who is accused of assaulting her sexually before pretending to be dead in order to persuade her to get an abortion.
"Although it has been almost 20 years, the pain today, is as strong as the day it happened," said Sandra, the plaintiff in the lawsuit. She has attempted to live a normal life since then, but has regretted that decision her whole life.
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Sandra and her lawyer discussed the prescribed pills she took after having an abortion in 2005 as well as a 2004 photo she claimed showed her and then-Paramount Band High School Assistant, Steven Velasquez, kissing. She claims that a handwritten note from him confessing his love for her appears on the back of the photograph.
"I had an abortion without my parents' knowledge or consent," Sandra said. "He made me believe that he loved me."
According to Sandra, when their relationship first began, he was 20 years old, she was 16, and she fell pregnant with his child. She further asserts that the band director pushed her into having an abortion while trying to hide the scandal when she told him about it. A lawsuit has been filed against Velasquez and the Paramount School District, accusing Velasquez of alleging sexual battery and emotional distress.
"Sandra believes he went along with the ruse that Steven has suddenly died," said Samuel Dordulian, Sandra's attorney. "He ensured her it was in her best interest to have an abortion and even arranged the clinic where Sandra would eventually have her abortion." Dordulian then says that Velasquez was not dead and had contacted her after the abortion but has since disappeared.
"When that needle went into my baby’s heart to stop it from beating, a piece of my heart died that day that I will never get back," Sandra said. "It’s time for all those responsible to stand up and speak the truth. Because in this life the only thing that will set you free is the truth." Sandra's main reason for bringing the lawsuit against the school system is to stop other students from going through similar alleged abuses. She is asking the school district for unspecified damages.
Dordulian urges Sandra's former bandmates and members of the general public to come forward with any information they may have regarding Valasquez or the alleged abuse.