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Von Metzke "groomed" underaged girls by texting
Don, When you receive mandated reporter training you are told to report any situation that gives you the gut feeling that something is wrong. James Saba and the Board were bound by law to report Eric long before this 2nd victim was abused. There was no case to be built. They were supposed to call CPS immediately and leave this matter to the professionals. It is interesting to note that at will employees may be terminated at any time for any reason. JT knows this - just look at Tony and Rayme.— June 28, 2017 8:39 a.m.
Von Metzke "groomed" underaged girls by texting
This comment was removed by the site staff.Von Metzke "groomed" underaged girls by texting
I am posting on behalf of someone who is having trouble logging into the system. Their user name is reym. I have been monitoring this situation from the east coast and want to thank Matt Valenti and Don Bauder for their vigilance in exposing this case of child abuse on a major level. Good parents (like the ones in this San Diego community) want their children to creatively thrive in a safe environment. They believed that this JT was such an environment. Little did they realize (until recently) that their precious children would be exposed to predators and child abusers and that the JT Board of Directors who were in place to provide a safe haven for their children were at best "asleep at the wheel" or at worse implicit in covering up abuses committed by some of their own and by others that worked for them. It would be a real travesty of justice if the Attorney General's office (who has been made aware of the situation at this JT) continues to ignore this matter and puts other cases ahead of a known child abuse and child endangerment case at JT.— June 26, 2017 8:09 a.m.
Von Metzke "groomed" underaged girls by texting
Don, Just wanted to clarify that Eric was told he would not be given any more shows to direct at JT but was allowed to keep teaching classes and camps there. He was told that this was because of his inappropriate relationship with a JT student. It is also worth noting that the girl he was having this relationship with was fired from JT for this behavior even though Eric was not. It may sound confusing, but older kids at JT serve as teaching assistants while still being students themselves. So she was fired and he was not. He continued to teach at JT until January 2017.— June 25, 2017 9:02 p.m.
SD Junior Theatre teacher going to prison
Facttroll, Did you read the comment I posted to you earlier? James Saba was aware Eric was dating a JT underage student since 2015. He knew at least a year in advance of this 2nd incident occurring. You think that is handling the situation properly? Saba actually broke the law by refusing to report Eric to the police in 2015. I will state it again for you. If they had fired Eric back then, none of this would have happened. The Board and James Saba have opened themselves and the theater up to huge liabilities. Have you taken the time to read any documents relating to the issues at JT?— June 25, 2017 2:12 p.m.
SD Junior Theatre teacher going to prison
Commentator_65 Are you implying that JT couldn't afford to give their employees mandated reporter training? This is crucial training that anyone who cares about kids would support providing. There are many situations when those who serve kids need to call CPS. Just this summer a child at JT's summer camp came to class with marks on their body (not put their by JT). Nobody seemed to know what to do about it. Why?? Because they didn't have this training. Anyone who has received mandated reporter training would know immediately to call CPS in that situation. At this training you will be told it is against the law NOT to report even if you just have a feeling that something is wrong. You do not need hard evidence of abuse. That work is left to CPS. JT has a million dollar budget. How much could a 2 hour training possibly cost? If they can't find it in their budget to protect the kids they serve then what are they doing running this organization? As Matt Valenti's complaint details, James Saba and the Board are responsible for the gross mismanagement of JT. That includes mismanaging their finances, employees and protecting the children they serve.— June 25, 2017 11:41 a.m.
SD Junior Theatre teacher going to prison
Commentator_65 If this is all inaccurate the Board should be providing us with such evidence. They aren't uneducated people. They have been asked time and time again to comment. Such articulate lawyers and PR people should be able to defend their actions. It makes no difference if you are a part time or full time employee. JT's first job is to ensure the safety of the children they serve. Jimmy Saba and the Board are responsible for managing their employees. The buck stops there.— June 25, 2017 10:30 a.m.
SD Junior Theatre teacher going to prison
Commentator 65, Take the time to read the report. Eric had sex with one girl who was 17 way before the recent victim who was 16 years of age. If you follow the timeline the 2nd victim was 16.— June 25, 2017 10:22 a.m.
SD Junior Theatre teacher going to prison
Commentator 65 Which underage girl are you referring to? There is more than one here.— June 25, 2017 10:19 a.m.
SD Junior Theatre teacher going to prison
Facttroll, As with any news coverage there is more to the story as many will be finding out in upcoming coverage and articles being currently written. If you read the sentencing memorandum you will also see that Von Metzke had more than one illegal relationship with underage girls at JT. He was dating a JT student in 2015. He was approached by James Saba about this relationship and told he would no longer be directing shows at JT because of this relationship. Here I agree JT did the right thing. Unfortunately they did not fire Von Metzke but kept him on as a teacher. He even taught summer camp in 2016 with the student he was dating working as his assistant! Saba and the Board did not report his relationship to the authorities. Here is where JT had the ability and legal responsibility to protect the children. If he were fired and the police were called back in 2015 none of of this would have occurred.— June 25, 2017 8:12 a.m.