EL DORADO COUNTY, California – New allegations of sexual assault have emerged against Tarik Manasrah, a former van driver for the El Dorado County Office of Education, currently incarcerated on sexual assault-related charges. Two families have stepped forward, alleging that Manasrah sexually assaulted their children while they were passengers in his van.
Manasrah, 42, was arrested by the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office in August 2023 in connection with assaults on two adults with disabilities.
The legal firm Qureshi Law, based in Los Angeles, filed a complaint in El Dorado County Superior Court on behalf of two children allegedly victimized by Manasrah. The complaint implicates the El Dorado County Office of Education and the Buckeye Union School District, citing negligence.
One family claims that their 8-year-old autistic and nonverbal son was raped by Manasrah and subsequently tested positive for a sexually transmitted disease. Allegedly, Manasrah frequently altered pick-up and drop-off times without explanation, raising concerns about his conduct.
The second alleged victim is a 4-year-old boy with ADHD and speech articulation issues. His mother disclosed to KCRA 3 that her son reported Manasrah sexually assaulting him, indicating inappropriate touching.
Kaitlyn Neumann, the mother of the 4-year-old victim, emphasized the importance of preventing similar incidents, urging for enhanced protective measures within educational systems.
Neumann reported the assault to the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office and stated she communicated with the District Attorney’s Office regarding the matter.
The complaint alleges that the defendants failed to investigate warning signs, including parental complaints, and accuses Manasrah of obstructing surveillance cameras in the van.
KCRA 3 reached out to the District Attorney’s Office for comment on the new allegations. A spokesperson declined to provide additional information due to the ongoing criminal case against Manasrah.
The Buckeye Union School District did not respond to requests for comment.
The El Dorado County Office of Education asserted that Manasrah passed all background checks conducted by the state’s Department of Justice and the FBI during the hiring process. While refraining from commenting on pending litigation, EDCOE expressed deep concern and commitment to cooperating with law enforcement.
The legal representatives of the victims are seeking other potential victims or any information relevant to the case.
The unfolding allegations highlight the imperative for stringent safeguards to protect vulnerable populations within educational environments.
