| Watch Video Above for Extended Coverage |
Yang, a teacher at Freedom Elementary in Clovis, allegedly used his cell phone to record his sexual abuse of a minor on multiple occasions.
According to the Department of Justice, the charges are the result of an extensive investigation by the San Joaquin Valley's Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Clovis Police Department, and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations.
If convicted, Yang faces a mandatory prison sentence of between 15 and 30 years, a $250,000 fine, and a lifetime of supervised release.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Psychologists on CUSD campuses after molestation arrest
By Mariana Jacob
Clovis Unified had psychologists on district campuses to help students and parents struggling with the molestation arrest. On Monday Action News reporter Mariana Jacob sat down with a Valley psychologist who said parents should talk to their children about appropriate and inappropriate touch at a young age to keep them safe.
Dr. Susan Napolitano has seen many Valley children who have been molested at a young age. On Monday, she said, "The violation of sexual abuse leaves a mark that lasts forever. The human psyche is resilient and there are so many adults who have been child victims of sexual abuse and the key factor that makes a difference is how the family responds to the allegations." Dr. Napolitano has a message for parents on the heels of 43 year-old teacher Neng Yang's arrest on charges of molesting a second grader in his own class. "This would be a good time to let a child know that people who are good people, people who are in authority can do bad things and take advantage of children," she said.
A complaint filed in District Court details how investigators say Yang abused the victim alone in his classroom. Dr. Napolitano says sexual predators target children who they think won't tell anyone else. She encourages every parent to talk to their children at a young age about appropriate and inappropriate touch. She suggests telling your child that hugging and handshaking are appropriate behaviors and then slowly transitioning into what is not okay. "Hitting is not an appropriate touch, pushing is not an appropriate touch and now you can add the piece, and this is a good age group to do it with, the private parts of the body are not parts that should be touched by strangers or anybody mommy and daddy don't know about." The Valley psychologist added it's important for parents to be attentive to their children's body language while they listen.
