Emery Unified officials failed to protect student from sexual abuse, lawsuit says

EMERYVILLE — A high school student has filed a lawsuit against the Emery Unified School District alleging that officials knew a security guard accused of sexually assaulting her had a history of inappropriate behavior with other students but failed to act.

The lawsuit alleges Daniel Parham — who was arrested last year and later criminally charged — assaulted the 16-year-old at Emery High School on multiple occasions when he worked as a campus security guard. It was filed in Alameda County Superior Court by the law firm of Cerri, Boskovich & Allard on behalf of Maisy Doe, a pseudonym for the alleged victim.

“The assault and rape of the student on school grounds during school hours did not have to happen,” attorney Mark Boskovich said in a press release.

According to the lawsuit, Parham, 21, began grooming Doe in September 2023 by complimenting her appearance and touching her waist, thighs and butt while on school grounds and in front of other students.

In October and November of that year, Parham allegedly groped, sexually assaulted and forced the girl to perform oral sex on him, according to the court documents. The student’s lawsuit alleges he once made her hide in a locker room when a coach walked in and that the coach did not investigate further after Parham claimed he was only pleasuring himself and “taking a nap in the office.”

Concerned she might be pregnant, Doe eventually shared details of the assaults to an Emeryville Center of Community Life Pool employee, who notified authorities, leading to Parham’s arrest in November by the Alameda Police Department. He has since been criminally charged with statutory rape and sexual assault.