District, victim of molester settle

The Marysville Joint Unified School District has reached a $125,000 settlement with an Olivehurst boy molested by a former school counselor, according to court records.

The victim, now 15, was molested by former Kynoch Elementary School counselor William Babcock.

The settlement was approved earlier this month by Yuba County Superior Court Judge Dennis Buckley.

Of the total settlement, the victim will receive $85,800, according to the agreement. He will not be able to make withdrawals from the account until he is 18.

Attorney's fees and costs are nearly $39,000.

Attorneys for the youth could not be reached for comment. MJUSD Superintendent Gay Todd also could not be reached.

It's been at least the fifth case settled with the school district since Babcock was arrested in early 2002.

Babcock pleaded guilty to eight felony counts of lewd acts with a child in August 2002. In September 2002, he was sentenced to 22 years in prison.

Babcock molested his victims between 2000 and 2002.

In all, about 20 children accused Babcock of molesting them. Eight lawsuits were filed against the district on behalf of children. The district has now settled with five students. Several other claims have been dismissed because they were not filed in a timely manner.

Past settlement amounts have varied. In August 2004, three children won $400,000, an amount to be distributed over a 15-year period. In November 2004, the district reached an $87,000 settlement with another student, court records said.

Appeal-Democrat reporter Daniel Witter can be reached at 749-4712. You may e-mail him at dwitter@appeal-democrat.com.