BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — A civil lawsuit filed on December 16, 2025, alleges that administrators and staff at Foothill High School in Bakersfield failed for months to protect a minor student from ongoing sexual abuse by a school employee.

The complaint, filed in Kern County Superior Court, seeks compensatory and punitive damages for what it describes as severe emotional, physical, and educational harm to the student.

The suit is brought on behalf of a minor by her guardian, against the Kern High School District, Foothill High School staff, Christopher Ramirez, and up to 100 unidentified employees.

According to the lawsuit, the alleged abuse happened between February and May 2025 on and off the Foothill High School campus. The complaint states that Christopher Ramirez, identified as a choir accompanist and piano instructor, sexually assaulted, intimidated, harassed, and inappropriately touched the minor student on multiple occasions.

The filing asserts that Ramirez’s conduct included “offensive, inappropriate, dangerous, menacing, and/or violent” behavior toward students.

At the center of the complaint are allegations that the defendants failed to immediately report Christopher Ramirez’s inappropriate touching, relationships, and/or behavior with their female students.

The complaint details significant and ongoing harm suffered by the minor, including physical injury, bruising, pain, anxiety, fear, emotional distress, educational setbacks, humiliation, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of quality of life, medical expenses, loss of earning capacity, and mental distress.

The plaintiff seeks compensatory damages for medical costs, emotional distress, and other losses, as well as punitive damages. The suit claims the plaintiffs are seeking over $35,000.

A Kern High School District official said in a statement to Eyewitness News:

At this time, we’re unable to comment as the matter is under active litigation. He is currently on unpaid administrative leave.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

Editor’s Note: A previous version of this article erroneously listed Christopher Ramirez as a teacher. He is identified as an “accompanist.”