Lawsuit Filed Against SDUSD Over Long-Standing Coach Abuse Case
San Diego, CA – Betts Law Group has filed a civil lawsuit on behalf of C.M., a former Patrick Henry High School student athlete, against the San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD) and Eduardo “Eddie” Hernandez, a coach who pled guilty to statutory rape of a minor.
C.M., identified by initials to protect her privacy, alleges Hernandez groomed her beginning at age 13 and culminated the abuse at age 17. She is now 39. Hernandez’s guilty plea stems from his long history with the district, where he coached for nearly 20 years despite prior abuse allegations. A second survivor confirmed these claims during the criminal proceedings, raising the possibility of additional undisclosed victims.
The lawsuit charges SDUSD with a litany of failures, including negligent hiring, supervision, retention of an unfit employee, breach of mandatory reporting, and emotional distress. C.M. seeks public accountability and policy changes to ensure schools truly protect students from abuse.
A spokesperson from Betts Law Group stated, “We took this case to ensure justice for C.M. and to hold accountable those who failed in their duty to protect her. Our hope is that this case will lead to real, meaningful changes in how educational institutions prevent and handle allegations of abuse.”
The complaint, filed on August 13, 2025, coincides with the beginning of the new school year, a poignant reminder that while many students return with excitement, others face unresolved harm. C.M. raises her voice not just for herself, but for survivors systemically failed.
On July 8, a federal lawsuit was filed by Betts Law Group and the Law Office of Gregory Peacock against Anaheim police officer Carlos Romero and the city of Anaheim. The plaintiff, identified as Jane Doe, accuses Romero of sexual assault and battery.
Whitney Betts of Betts Law Group has years of experience representing survivors of sexual assault in California, which is why she ready to provide her years of experience to jointly the file the suit with the Law Office of Gregory Peacock.
The Disturbing Details of the Assault
The lawsuit alleges a disturbing pattern of abuse of power. According to the filing, the instance began when Doe noticed Romero smiling at her while she was at an In-N-Out restaurant on May 19, 2023.
Doe’s lawsuit levels multiple charges against both Romero and the city of Anaheim. Against Romero, she alleges sexual assault, battery, violation of her Fourth Amendment rights against unreasonable seizure, and violation of her Fourteenth Amendment due process rights.
The lawsuit also holds the city of Anaheim responsible for the incident. Doe alleges that the city failed to adequately train and supervise Romero, leading to the violation of her constitutional rights.
Romero has since been placed on administrative leave by the Anaheim Police Department and, according to Mike Lyster, a spokesperson for the city of Anaheim, a criminal investigation has been launched by officials.
Chilling Statistics About Sexual Assault
Sadly, sexual assault is not an uncommon occurrence in the United States. One in five women will experience completed or attempted rape in their lifetimes. In California, more than 86% of women and 53% of men have have experienced some sort of sexual harassment and/or assault in their lifetime.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, it is estimated that more than 2 out of 3 sexual assaults are reported to the police. Some of the reasons that sexual assault is not reported include:
Fear of retaliation from the perpetrator and the community
Uncertainty that law enforcement would do anything to help
Believed it was not important enough to report
At Betts Law Group, we encourage all survivors to document and report instances of sexual assault so that they can ensure justice is served.
What to Do After Sexual Assault
We understand that the trauma of sexual assault goes beyond physical harm. It’s a violation of trust, safety, and personal autonomy that can stay with those that are affected. The aftermath of a sexual assault can be overwhelming, but there are resources available to support you. Some of the steps you should take after a sexual assault:
Immediately go to a safe place and reach out to a trusted loved one or call a survivor hotline
Once you feel safe, assess if you need medical attention, which can help gather evidence for your case
Contact a therapist or counselor to help you process the assault, cope with the emotional aftermath, and regain a sense of control
Seek legal help if you plan on pursuing criminal or civil charges against your assailant
Our sexual assault attorneys at Betts Law Group have represented countless survivors throughout their sexual assault cases, and we are committed to empowering survivors and helping them reclaim their lives.
Contact Betts Law Group
This lawsuit serves as a reminder that those entrusted with our safety can abuse their power. At Betts Law Group, we are dedicated to seeking justice for survivors of sexual assault. If you or someone you know has been affected by such crimes, contact us today. Your voice matters, and we’re here to help.
