Attorneys for the parents of a 15-year-old boy who was sexually abused and kidnapped by a Casa Grande Academy employee have filed suit against the residential facility for failing to protect their minor son from an alleged sexual predator. Filed On February 5, 2024 in Pima County Superior Court, Plaintiffs allege defendant Casa Grande Academy was solely responsible for the care, safety, and treatment of their child while in their care and not only failed in its duty, but intentionally turned a blind eye to policies and procedures in place intended to protect its residents.
Plaintiffs are represented by Ryan Casey, Jesse Creed, and Hunter Norton of Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP as well as by co-counsel, Lynne M. Cadigan of Lynne Cadigan Law PLLC.
READ THE COMPLAINT
Beginning in May 2022, John Doe was ordered by the court to undergo inpatient behavioral health treatment at Casa Grande Academy – a residential facility licensed by the Arizona Department of Health Services and regulated by the state. Once admitted, the teen was placed into the care of 26-year-old Daisa Sigarroba, a behavioral health technician who initiated sexual relations with her minor patient that continued throughout his residency. Even after John Doe was discharged to a Phoenix group home in January 2023, Sigarroba continued to prey on him – driving more than 200 miles to remove him from the group home and return to a Tucson hotel room where she sexually abused him for days while his distraught parents worried for their son’s welfare and safety.
As alleged in the complaint, Casa Grande Academy was negligent in its duty and care of John Doe. It knew Sigarroba was unqualified, untrained, and unfit to work as a behavioral health technician. It also knew of Sigarroba’s propensity to sexually abuse children. As her employer, it had investigated and substantiated numerous reports of red flags for inappropriate sexual relations and received reports of sexual relations, but failed to halt her interactions with John Doe or report the abuse as mandated by Arizona Administrative Code § R9-10-318. Instead, Casa Grande Academy continued to employ her and fostered a playground to cultivate her sexual abuse without consequence.
Plaintiffs are seeking general, special, and punitive damages including past and future pain, suffering, disability, and emotional distress, as well as past and future medical expenses, future loss of earning, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium in an amount to be determined at trial.
Sigarroba has been criminally charged with multiple counts of sexual conduct with a minor as well as custodial interference for breaking John Doe out of the group home. She has pled guilty to one felony count arising out of her sexual relations with John Doe.
Sentencing is scheduled for April 1, 2024.