OAKLAND — Prosecutors have dismissed a child sex abuse case against Jeremy Taylor, a former teacher at Oakland School of the Arts, bringing an end to a lengthy saga that involved a seven-figure lawsuit settlement against the school.
Taylor faced serious charges, including committing lewd acts against a child under 14 years old with allegations of substantial sexual contact and exploiting a position of trust.
However, during a court hearing in March, prosecutors determined that there was insufficient corroborating evidence to support the case, which relied heavily on the account of a single alleged victim.
The dismissal of the charges follows an ongoing conflict with the school, which had been instructed by a judge to comply with a subpoena for records related to both Taylor and the alleged victim. On the very day a hearing was set to address this compliance issue, the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office announced the case would be dropped.
Taylor’s attorney, Liz Grossman, expressed that her client has always maintained his innocence and welcomed the dismissal as a form of justice.
In a statement made at the March 4 hearing, the alleged victim, identified as Jane Doe in court documents, described Taylor as a sexual abuser who had manipulated her and left her grappling with trauma, self-harm, and trust issues.
Doe stated, “I desire the unhealthy bond we once had. I loved this man, smiled, and was genuinely okay with him raping me over and over and over again. I hate myself that I wanted to be with him in that way and make him happy, make him proud. I hate myself that I still care about him.”
According to allegations, Taylor reportedly molested Doe over an extended period from September 2004 to September 2005, while he was between the ages of 29 and 30.
The police investigation into Taylor only commenced last year after the alleged victim revealed her experiences to a friend, who subsequently contacted the Oakland Police Department.
In her testimony, Doe expressed her resentment towards her friend for reporting the abuse, stating that she didn’t want the case to be taken up by authorities.
She revealed that her friend’s decision felt like a betrayal and that the ongoing media coverage surrounding the case continued to have a negative impact on her.
Despite the allegations against him, Taylor continued to teach at OSA for years and was only terminated in 2022 following a separate investigation that concluded he had engaged in grooming behavior with numerous students and had a sexual relationship with at least one.
It is noted that the standards used during the investigation were less stringent than those required in criminal trials, raising questions about the initial handling of his conduct.
Throughout the case, Grossman had petitioned for a broad array of documentation related to the OSA’s records, the alleged victim’s mental health, email correspondence with Taylor, and her hospital records, as indicated in court filings.
Almost all requests were approved by the court, underscoring the legal complexity surrounding the case.
In December, Judge David Pereda mandated the school to clarify why it had delayed in producing further records, including Taylor’s teaching schedules and communications with school administrators.
The subpoenaed documentation had been requested months beforehand, reflecting the protracted nature of the legal proceedings.
Adding another layer of tragedy, Doe pursued a lawsuit against OSA, in which she received a substantial seven-figure settlement.
During Taylor’s tenure at the school, records indicate he had received warnings regarding private meetings with students amidst the time of the alleged abuse.
Witness accounts detailed how he would often offer hugs or coffee to students, and it was documented that a name of a student had been observed written in condensation on the inside of Taylor’s vehicle.
In May 2004, an administrator warned Taylor to cease these private meetings with students, yet Taylor justified his actions by claiming he was providing a supportive environment for students dealing with personal issues such as family troubles or eating disorders.
The admonition was reiterated in September 2005 after a student expressed a desire to have lunch with him.
Two weeks later, the mother of a different student — the same girl whose name had been noted on Taylor’s car — decided to withdraw her daughter from his math class.
Following an apology from the girl, it was reported that Taylor responded with a suggestion to meet in person, ending his message with a smiley face emoji.
In a follow-up email the next year, Taylor allegedly asked the same student for pictures to help “properly wallpaper (his) room.”
The Oakland School of the Arts has publicly stated its commitment to ensuring a safe and supportive learning environment for all students, especially amidst the serious allegations surrounding this case.
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