A former preschool teacher at UCLA’s Krieger Center in Los Angeles, California, has been convicted of sexually abusing multiple young children under his care. Christopher Rodriguez, 51, was found guilty on nine counts, including sexual battery with restraint, penetration with a foreign object, and child abuse. The crimes were committed between July and December 2023, and Rodriguez was officially convicted in April 2025.
Rodriguez worked within UCLA’s Early Care and Education (ECE) department for nearly 25 years, specifically at the Krieger Center and University Village, which provide childcare services for children ages two months to six years for UCLA-affiliated families.
“The acts that the defendant inflicted upon multiple children are unthinkable and reprehensible,” said Los Angeles City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto. “Sexual abuse is among the most horrific violations to be committed upon anyone, especially children.”
The allegations against Rodriguez have raised significant concerns regarding UCLA’s oversight, particularly given the duration of his employment and the large number of children entrusted to his care. The Krieger Center alone hosts approximately 160 children, marking it as the largest ECE facility on campus.
Institutional Accountability and Legal Protection for Survivors
Incidents like this emphasize the critical responsibility educational institutions hold to ensure the safety and well-being of children. Institutions must thoroughly vet and consistently monitor their employees to prevent such grievous abuses.
California has laws specifically designed to protect survivors of childhood sexual abuse, allowing them extended periods to seek justice through civil litigation, ensuring that perpetrators and enabling institutions are held accountable.
Our Commitment to Survivors
At Herman Law, we represent survivors of childhood sexual abuse in civil lawsuits against the perpetrators and the organizations that failed to prevent the abuse. We are committed to helping survivors pursue justice with compassion, confidentiality, and unwavering advocacy.
Contact Us for a Confidential Consultation
If you, your child or someone you know may have been harmed while attending UCLA Early Care and Education or any similar institution, we encourage you to contact our California sexual abuse attorneys. We offer free, confidential consultations and are here to support you every step of the way.
Sources:
Los Angeles City Attorney. (2025, April 25). LA City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto prosecutes and convicts early childhood teacher of child sexual abuse. Retrieved April 30, 2025, from https://cityattorney.lacity.gov/updates/la-city-attorney-hydee-feldstein-soto-prosecutes-and-convicts-early-childhood-teacher-child
Mulick, S. (2025, April 25). Former UCLA child care teacher convicted on 9 counts of child sexual abuse. Daily Bruin. Retrieved April 30, 2025, from https://dailybruin.com/2025/04/25/former-ucla-child-care-teacher-convicted-on-9-counts-of-child-sexual-abuse
Daily Bruin. (2024, May 31). Former UCLA child care teacher charged with sexual battery, cruelty to a child. Retrieved April 30, 2025, from https://dailybruin.com/2024/05/31/former-ucla-child-care-teacher-charged-with-sexual-battery-cruelty-to-a-child