Molestation charges against San Ysidro teaching assistant dismissed

On May 1, 2026, The San Diego-Union Tribune reported that charges were dropped against a teaching assistant who was accused of molesting a 4-year-old student. The source said:

“Jaime Godinez was charged last year with two counts of lewd acts upon the child in the same alleged incident on January 15, 2025, at the San Ysidro School District campus, according to a criminal complaint filed by the District Attorney’s Office.

The charges were discussed Thursday [April 30, 2026] after prosecutors filed a motion to dismiss, citing they did not have enough evidence to provide the case beyond a reasonable doubt.”

Godinez worked at Sunset Elementary School where the incident allegedly occurred.

In October 2025, the alleged victim’s parents filed a civil lawsuit against Godinez. The report from NBC 7 San Diego said, “The recently filed civil suit identifies victims as a girl born in June of 2020. The preschooler was allegedly molested on Jan. 15 during a nap period. She was just 4 at the time.”

San Ysidro School District and the student’s teacher are also named in the civil lawsuit. According to The Tribute, unspecified damages have been asked from the judge for allegations of negligence, sexual assault and false imprisonment.

Around the same time in October, another report said San Ysidro school officials were accused of attempting to cover up molestation allegations. One board member, Kenia Peraza, called on district superintendent Gina Potter to resign after she claimed Potter “failed to fully inform them about the allegations.”

Board president Zenaida Rosario issued a statement denying that Potter withheld details and affirmed that the board received limited information during the open police investigation.

Godinez is no longer employed by the San Ysidro School District.

Although criminal charges have been dismissed, the civil suit against Godinez and the district is ongoing.