La Habra, California - La Habra High School Psychologist Kristen Boyle Charged with Statutory Rape of a Student

La Habra High School Psychologist Accused of Sexual Contact with a Student

A school psychologist at La Habra High School has been accused of having sex with an underage student. 35-year-old Kristen Lynn Boyle was arrested on September 20 and charged with statutory rape after a lengthy investigation by La Habra Police.

Boyle is accused of having sexual contact with the student in a classroom at the school in April of 2018. Prosecutors announced that she had been arrested on Tuesday, September 24.

In a press release, District Attorney Todd Spitzer said, “Mental health professionals wield a tremendous amount of influence over their patients. This betrayal of trust is even more egregious because she used her position to gain her victim’s trust and then exploited the therapist/patient relationship to prey on one of the very students she was entrusted with helping.”

Boyle has been placed on administrative leave. Investigators did not discover any other victims during their investigation.

If convicted, Boyle could face up to three years in prison.

Legal Options for School Sex Abuse Victims & Their Families

Attorney contributor Bobby Thompson stands by survivors of sexual abuse, helping them find justice through civil lawsuits. We’ve asked Bobby to share some general information on the legal rights of school sex abuse victims and their families:

When a child comes forward to disclose sexual abuse by a school employee, there are many difficult concerns to address. The accused employee must be investigated, the child must get the support they deserve, and the school should also be investigated to determine if negligence is partially to blame for a failure to stop or prevent the abuse.

Some cases of sexual abuse of students committed by school staff members may have been prevented if not for negligence – such as ignoring previous complaints of sexual misconduct involving the accused employee. In these types of cases, the victims and their families may have grounds for a lawsuit against the school.

If you or a loved one is a survivor of sexual abuse by a school psychologist or another school employee, you can learn more about your family’s legal rights by speaking with an experienced sex abuse victims lawyer.

Sources:

https://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2019/09/24/la-habra-high-school-psychologist-charged-minor/

https://www.ocregister.com/2019/09/24/la-habra-high-school-psychiatrist-arrested-on-suspicion-of-sex-with-underage-student/