By Signal Staff
Detectives with the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department’s Special Victims Bureau took an additional step Wednesday in asking for the public’s help with their investigation into allegations of a sexual assault of a minor by an employee of the Santa Clarita Valley Boys and Girls Club, releasing a photo of the woman who was arrested on March 12.
Detectives are asking the public for information about any potential additional victims.
Elizabeth Elizarraraz, 32, has been formally charged with three felony counts of lewd acts upon a child, violation of Penal Code Section 288 (a), according to a news release issued Wednesday by the LASD. Elizarraraz was additionally charged with three felony counts of lewd acts upon a child, under Penal Code Section 288 (c)(1), the release said.
L.A. County Superior Court records available online list the dates of the offenses as Oct. 1, 2024, and May 1, 2025.
The victim and suspect initially met at the after-school program located on the 24900 block of Newhall Avenue, the LASD release said. Elizarraraz was employed by the after-school program, and the victim attended the program, according to the release.
“Based on the nature of the offenses, coupled with the facts that Ms. Elizarraraz has had contact with numerous juveniles in the course of her employment, detectives believe there may be additional unidentified victims,” said the LASD news release.
The release asked that anyone with information regarding this case or who believes they may have been a victim contact the LASD Special Victims Bureau, Sgt. Joseph Mesa, at 661-471-1519.
The case was presented to the L.A. County District Attorney’s Office at the San Fernando Courthouse on Monday. Elizarraraz pleaded not guilty, and the DA’s Office indicated the court lowered her bail “from statutory $360,000 to $200,000, over the people’s objection,” according to an email Tuesday from Venusse Dunn, spokeswoman for the office.
L.A. County Superior Court records online indicate Elizarraraz was released Tuesday on $200,000 bond and has a scheduled court date of April 17.
Matthew Nelson, CEO of the SCV Boys & Girls Club, confirmed Tuesday morning that one of the club’s employees had been arrested; however, he said he could not comment beyond a statement released on behalf of the local clubs.
The prepared statement, read, in part: “The safety and protection of the young people we serve is always our absolute highest priority, and we take any situation that might impact their well-being very seriously. Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Clarita Valley is aware of the recent arrest of an employee. This individual is suspended and banned from all club facilities pending further investigation. We will continue to offer our full cooperation to authorities as needed.”
If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call “Crime Stoppers” by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), or use your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile APP or “P3 Mobile” for the hearing impaired on Google play or the App Store, or by using the website lacrimestoppers.org.
