Traumatized Family Sues LAUSD After Noncustodial Mother Abducts Children from School

In a heartbreaking incident, a family is taking legal action against the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) after their children were allegedly taken from their school by their noncustodial mother, leaving the family and the children themselves deeply traumatized. The case has sparked outrage and raised serious questions about the safety protocols in place at LAUSD schools.

Safeguarding Our Children: A Paramount Responsibility

The Harrowing Ordeal

The incident occurred on May 14th at Lanai Road Elementary School in Encino, where 10-year-old Liam Jasso and his 8-year-old sister were attending the Beyond the Bell afterschool program. According to the family, their noncustodial mother, described as homeless and a drug user who had lost legal custody of her children, was able to simply walk up to the school gate, call the children over, and take them away without any intervention from the school administrators.Liam, visibly shaken by the experience, expressed his feelings of fear, sadness, and anger, saying, "It makes me scared. Sad, kind of angry and like I can't believe that happened." The family's grandmother, Lucia Jasso, who had adopted the children when their mother lost custody due to drug addiction, was devastated to learn that her grandchildren had been taken. "I asked for the kids and I was told they were not there, that somebody had already picked them up," she recalled, her voice trembling with emotion.

The Frantic Search and Eventual Rescue

The family's aunt, Jaylene Rios, described the agonizing hours that followed, as they frantically searched for the children. "When my mom told me the kids were missing, I didn't know what to think," she said. "When we finally found out that it was Isabel who had taken them, we got even more worried because she doesn't have a home. We were scared that the kids were gonna be sleeping somewhere cold."After approximately nine hours, the children were located in Compton, at the home of Isabel's boyfriend's mother. Jaylene recounted the relief they felt upon finding the children, but also their concern for their well-being. "They were scared because they were in a house," she said. "They don't know these people."

The Legal Battle and Calls for Accountability

The family has retained an attorney, Christa Ramey of Acts Law, and is now suing the school district. "It is just infuriating," Ramey stated. "LAUSD has a program, Beyond the Bell, on its campuses, that is administrated through LAUSD. These are employees that failed."LAUSD has acknowledged the incident, stating, "Los Angeles Unified takes the safety and security of all students very seriously. The District is looking into these claims. However, Los Angeles Unified does not comment on pending or ongoing litigation."The case has sparked outrage and raised serious questions about the safety protocols in place at LAUSD schools. Parents and the community are demanding answers and accountability, as they grapple with the traumatic impact this incident has had on the Jasso family.

Strengthening School Security: A Pressing Need

The abduction of the Jasso children from their school has highlighted the urgent need for LAUSD to review and strengthen its security measures to ensure the safety of all students. The failure of the school administrators to prevent the noncustodial mother from accessing the children has left the family and the community deeply shaken.Experts in school safety and security have emphasized the importance of robust protocols, including strict visitor check-in procedures, secure entry and exit points, and comprehensive staff training on identifying and responding to potential threats. The Jasso case underscores the need for LAUSD to prioritize the implementation of these best practices to safeguard the well-being of the students entrusted to their care.As the legal battle unfolds, the Jasso family and the community at large await a resolution that not only addresses the trauma they have endured but also paves the way for meaningful change within the school district. The safety of our children must be the top priority, and this incident serves as a wake-up call for LAUSD to reevaluate its security measures and ensure that no family ever has to experience such a harrowing ordeal again.