A lawsuit filed on July 31, 2026 in Yuba County Superior Court by a client of Lanier Meyer McBride Blair LLP alleges that Marysville Joint Unified School District failed to protect a student at Anna McKenney Intermediate in Marysville from sexual abuse by teacher Steven Cunningham in the 2000s. The complaint alleges the teacher was allowed to spend time alone with students in his classroom and in secluded areas of campus without supervision, and that the district knew, or easily could have discovered, that he was inappropriately touching students, yet failed to supervise, investigate, or report him. The complaint states that Mr. Cunningham is believed to have died in or around 2021, and he is not named as a defendant.

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What the complaint alleges

“Other warning signs that were observable “red flags” included, inter alia: CUNNINGHAM spending time alone with minor students in his classroom without any additional supervision, and CUNNINGHAM being permitted to be in secluded areas of campus without supervision.”

(Complaint ¶ 28)

“The Defendant DISTRICT knew, or easily could have discovered with minimal supervision, that CUNNINGHAM was inappropriately touching minor students, and furthermore, that the DISTRICT did, or should have, documented and reported these clear warning signs.”

(Complaint ¶ 29)

“Despite knowledge that CUNNINGHAM was a danger to the students within its care … DISTRICT failed and/or refused to: … Report CUNNINGHAM to law enforcement and/or an appropriate investigatory agency, in violation of its mandatory reporting duties under CANRA;”

(Complaint ¶ 30)

These are allegations in a pending lawsuit. They have not been proven, and no court has made any findings.

Abused at Anna McKenney Intermediate?

If you were a student at Anna McKenney Intermediate or another Marysville Joint USD school and something happened to you, you are not alone, and it was not your fault. You can sue a California school district any time before your 40th birthday, without filing a government claim first, and you can file as Jane or John Doe.

Start a confidential review

(855) 359-1772

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