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Public commenters allege child sexual abuse, county staff cite confidentiality and mandatory reporting limits
Summary
Multiple public commenters alleged historic and ongoing child sexual abuse and urged the county to provide clinical screenings; county staff said state confidentiality law prevents public discussion of investigative details and that child welfare agencies must cross‑report allegations to law enforcement and the district attorney.
Several public commenters told the Health & Hospital Committee they believe children in their families were sexually abused and asked the county to provide clinical screenings and to act.
Ben Seed and another commenter described allegations involving a former physician who had worked in county settings and alleged patterns of abuse over decades. A separate speaker said his son reported rape beginning at age 13 and that other concerning conduct (unnecessary bathing, repeated inappropriate contact) occurred; he told the committee the county had refused a screening for his children and urged intervention.
County staff responded to public comment with a legal explanation: California law prohibits public disclosure of information related to investigations of suspected child abuse and neglect and the county is not authorized to discuss specifics of investigations during public comment. The staff member also said that child welfare departments are required to cross‑report suspected physical and sexual abuse to law enforcement and the district attorney and that the county takes allegations seriously and takes appropriate actions under law.
The committee did not take formal action on individual allegations during the meeting. Committee members and staff encouraged written follow‑up through appropriate channels and noted statutory confidentiality limits.
