By HEATHER CATHLEEN COX
Staff Writer
reporter@sbnewspaper.com
Jose N. Mendez Jr.
Jose Naftali Mendez Jr., a former San Benito CISD teacher who has been repeatedly accused of inappropriate behavior with children, is the subject of a suit filed against SBCISD and its Superintendent of Schools, Antonio G. Limón, by the parent of a female Landrum Elementary School student allegedly molested by Mendez.
The suit specifically alleges that the school district and Limón “violated rights guaranteed to (the victim) by the 14th Amendment of the United States Constitution because when (stated actors knowingly placed) an individual in danger, the due process clause of the constitution has been held to render them accountable for foreseeable injuries that result from their conduct.”
Mendez, who previously worked at Frank Roberts Elementary, was placed on administrative leave by Limón in 2011, after Mendez was first accused of assaulting a child that October. Limón reportedly reinstated Mendez later that month.
In May 2012, Mendez was accused of assaulting another child. He was again placed on administrative leave and ultimately reinstated, at which time he was reportedly transferred to Landrum Elementary by Limón.
According to the allegations made against Mendez, the victim (who will remain nameless because the San Benito News does not identify victims of child abuse) has alleged that “Mendez would massage her shoulders, chest and back with his hands, while whispering in her ear that she was beautiful and that he loved her.”
The lawsuit further states, “He would commit other unwelcomed acts while (the victim) was trying to attend to her academic studies…. Joe Mendez would turn the lights off to show the class educational videos…(and sit behind the victim) in his chair with his legs spread open, wherein he would commence the fondling of the child.”
The alleged assaults caused the victim to suffer emotional and mental distress, according to the complaint filed by the victim’s parent. The victim “began cutting herself when Mendez began fondling and molesting her…she became depressed, secluded, emotionally distressed, antisocial and disturbed from the unwelcomed fondling and molestation.” On one occasion, the victim reportedly tried unsuccessfully to hang herself.
The victim was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and social anxiety disorder by her psychiatrist. The suit further alleges that SBCISD “refused to provide any type of assistance for psychological assessment or treatments to help (the victim) cope with the emotional distress and mental anguish associated with the (aforementioned) incidents.”
Mendez was suspended with pay, pending the investigation’s outcome.
The victim’s attorney, Robert L. Steindel, has requested trial by jury and the maximum financial settlement allowed by law, which would include legal fees and court costs.
Regarding the specifics of this case, Limón declined comment, and stated he has not seen the lawsuit.
Attempts to reach Steindel and Mendez for comment were unsuccessful as of press time Friday.
16 comments
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oof
How about the principal of the campus? You mean to tell me that that person let this allege things to occur on campus?
There has to be more to this story. If it was a board member’s child or relative,
You know this would have stopped months ago.
God help this district
Really all this talk in San Benito and NOBODY does a damn thing about it. Shame on ALL of you who say you are here for kids! You are here fir your own personal agendas! Makes me sick!
Humor Me / The Negotiator,
Thanks guys,will pass info onto feds,amongst other hidden deeds.
Shame on the previous board members (Yliana and Chuy all stars) for wasting money on interims, tablets, and other self benefiting appointments//expenses//favor for favors instead of using it to get rid of Limon. They got rid of Garcia without pay but didn’t have the marbles to get rid of Limon without pay. You say shame on Limon. I say shame on the previous members that tried to get rid of Limon but didn’t have the marbles to see it through or the brains to either. They we’re put in a position to make change like they promised all of us and did nothing. Thus leading to their demise. Now that’s a shame!
I can’t believe your bringing up past board decisions. It seems to me like your trying to move the blame to someone else, or trying to move the attention elsewhere. Yes, I agree they did make some mistakes, but don’t blame the previous board for not firing Limon . If I can remember correctly, that is what some of the allegations were about, but what this new board did is sweep and seal the problem under the rug. Let’s just say the board did fire Limon, and maybe just maybe he would have been able to sue the district, this incident was the proof they needed to keep him from suing. The previous board lacked transparency, and wanted to keep everything under secrecy, which was their mistake for not following protocol. Regardless of who did what, someone has to be held accountable for the atrocities this person did to these children. If Mr. Limon was a good leader, this problem would have been handled as soon as it occurred the first time it was brought to his attention. It is not right that this individual was allowed to set foot on campus where he was able to harm to another child. There is no excuse! This board or Mr. Limon can try to come up with an excuse, but THERE IS NO EXCUSE for allowing a monster to use his classroom as a way to get to our innocent children. I just hope TEA or some other law enforcement agency can hold these individuals accountable, and bring justice to these children and our school district. Like someone else said on the blog if this was your child or relative wouldn’t you want justice? God help us all.
You talk about not having the marbles…well let me fill you in on a little secret. Both David Garcia AND Chief Garcia were reinstated not only at a pretty hefty salary but WITH back pay too! Shame on the new majority AND Limon for allowing our taxpayer dollars to reward wrongdoing. Obviously they were suspended with good cause…but again, the new majority (in their infinite wisdom along with their shameful leader Limon) simply gave BOTH Garcias a little slap on the hand and sent them on their merry old way to continue doing the same ole’ same ole’.
Whatever happened till innocent until proven guilty? Whatever happened to alleged in the headlines? I will wait till the jury brings the verdict.
Where is Sandra Tumberlinson and Rosalinda Garcia? It seems that you all have been quiet lately. Is it because your starting to see what Limon is all about? HE FAILED TO PROTECT THIS CHILD AND PUT MORE IN DANGER!! I bet if it was your child you all would want justice! It seems that Ms. Gonzalez ( sb member) was just trying to do her job and she would get bashed for it. And to those of you who voted him back, what on earth were you all thinking?
Here’s a lil spin 2 a well-known Britney Spears song, Oops I did it again…, referencing Mr. Limon
[CHORUS:]
Oops!…he did it again
He played with our minds, got lost in the game
Oh baby, baby
Oops!…He thinks there’s no fault
That he’s sent from above
He’s not that innocent.
On a more serious note, according to sources Mr Limon recently reinstated an elementary custodian (who’s name shall remain anonymous) after dropping his pants to a coworker. The previous interim had terminated him for misconduct but Mr Limon saw no wrongdoing. Could this possibly be yet another situation that could evolve to what Mendez did? Is Mr Limon going to allow this to escalate to the point that he’ll do more than pant dropping? And what about the children he’ll be working with on his new assignment? Maybe Mr Limon needs to leave his glass palace and ‘everybody deserves a chance’ way of thinking and start focusing on our children’s safety for a change. Afterall, he is collecting a pretty penny for doing absolutely nothing since being brought back. So disappointed and ashamed of his poor judgment.
Hmmmm….Could this have been one of the 64 allegations against this ‘good Christian’ man, (aka Mr Limon)? And if it was, how could the Board overlook something so significant that obviously defines his bad nature and pitiful character? Leaves me to think that the new majority (Super Arnold, Puppetmaster Anna, Sickminded Oscar, and Puppet Angel) evidently have their own personal agenda where students and their safety are NOT part of it. By allowing him to be reinstated claiming ‘no adverse findings’ (as Super Arnold was quoted), it’s more than clear that these selfish new board members are no better than the previous majority. Only difference is that this new board is publicly making it known that Mr Limon has their full support in harming our children. God help San Benito….
An independent law firm conducted an investigation and deemed there were ‘no adverse findings.’ How can you blame that on the board? You can’t. It wasn’t this board majority that hired the firm that found ‘no adverse findings,’ so don’t blame this board. It is what it is, accept it.
As far as your comment on Limon’s faith, how can you attack anyone’s Christian faith? Or any faith, for that matter? A person’s faith is between them and God, and He shall be the judge of their actions. If you want to judge his actions based on law, or his character based on his actions, fine. But please don’t judge or demean his or anyone else’s faith.
This is a prime example on what happens when our leaders mind is focused elsewhere. Again, I have spoke of embarrassments to our District and this is a huge example of the below average leadership of the Super and certain group want to be power broker board members. .Just look at the decision making of the school health insurance. Remember I say this and I will bring it up again and again and again, because no evaluation of the current insurance has not been made. to evaluate its effectiveness and price savings it has to offer.
Please Super, go to Region One, they like people like yourself, and you will get paid well without the stress of our community.on your back.
Great job school board members for bringing him back! , Limon failed to do hid job and protect innocent kids. This is so sad on any level. This Christian Man (Limon) should just get out because he a a disgrace to this position and to this city just like the ones that brought him back!
Bout damn time this monster got exposed. Limon has no business in our schools. I am disgusted at the fact that his poor judgment and failure to act ‘in the best interest of our children’ has brought unnecessary trauma to this little girl. Bet he would’ve acted differently if it had been his daughter. Shameful Limon and shame in the Board for reinstating this monster!
Proof: as long as Limon is there the children are not protected. How many more students have to come forward. How many more teachers have to be sexually harassed. Come on folks……shame on the Board members (Padilla, Medrano, Cruz, and Mendez) that brought Limon back, shame on you.