DA charges two assistant principals with felony child abuse

The San Bernardino County District Attorney’s office has filed charges against David Shenhan Yang (38) and Natasha Harris (37), both assistant principals of Carter High School. It is alleged that both Harris and Yang were made aware of sexual assaults that occurred on campus and failed to report that information to law enforcement authorities.

Following an investigation in mid-February of a 17-year-old male student who allegedly sexually assaulted a female student for months, Rialto Police Department discovered that the victim had first reported sexual assault to Harris and Yang in November of 2021.

Another victim was also identified to have reported sexual assault by the same male student in September of 2021, which Harris and Yang also did not report to law enforcement.

A third victim came forward in February who had not previously reported sexual assault to school officials.

As mandated reporters, both Harris and Yang are required by California State Law to immediately alert law enforcement of child abuse or neglect.

Harris and Yang have been charged with:

One felony count of PC 273a(a) – Child Abuse under circumstances or conditions likely to cause great bodily injury or death.

Two misdemeanor counts of PC 11166 – Failure of a mandated reporter to report child abuse or neglect.

“In this case, the Assistant Principals’ failure to report sexual assault on their campus erodes the trust that students and parents alike should have regarding the safety and protection of all the children in their care,” said District Attorney Jason Anderson. “Their failure as mandated reporters to notify law enforcement lead to further victimization of two students, and the sexual assault of a third victim, which was preventable.”