Former School Janitor Charged Again in Child Sexual Abuse Case: What New Jersey Families Can Learn

Multiple Victims, One Predator: Abuse Allegations Span Decades and School Districts

In a deeply disturbing case that echoes similar instances of school-based abuse across the country, Adrian Villar, a 66-year-old former elementary school janitor in Utah, has been charged again with sexually abusing a child—this time, involving a neighbor from over two decades ago. Villar now faces charges in four separate criminal cases involving at least five known child victims, many of whom were students in the schools where he worked.

The latest charges include sexual abuse of a child, sodomy on a child, obstruction of justice, and lewdness involving a child. According to court documents, Villar allegedly groomed and abused a young boy between the ages of 4 and 6 while living next door to him in Spanish Fork, Utah. The victim described how Villar threatened to kill him if he ever told anyone—leaving him traumatized for years.

At Survivors of Abuse NJ, we see this pattern all too often: predators in positions of authority using fear, isolation, and manipulation to silence their victims. These revelations should serve as a wake-up call for New Jersey schools, parents, and communities, especially as similar abuse cases have been uncovered in our own state.

Sexual Abuse Within Schools: A Hidden Epidemic

Villar’s history of abuse within educational settings is particularly alarming. In 2018, he was charged with sexually abusing two special needs students at Sierra Bonita Elementary School, where he had worked as a janitor. The abuse occurred in secluded areas, with Villar threatening the children to keep them silent. Even while out on pretrial release for those charges, he allegedly abused another child during the 2017–2018 school year at Santaquin Elementary School.

A now-teenage victim came forward earlier this year, reporting that Villar had lured him into a closed bathroom where he was assaulted and then threatened. Another victim described being forced into a closet and assaulted, with similar threats to harm her or her family if she spoke out.

This case highlights not only the long-term impact of sexual abuse on children, but also the institutional failures that can allow such predators to continue harming victims. While Nebo School District has since released Villar and pledged improvements to their training and policies, one must ask: Could this have been prevented?

New Jersey Must Be Proactive in Preventing School-Based Sexual Abuse

In New Jersey, we have had our share of child sexual abuse cases involving teachers, coaches, aides, and custodial staff. What stands out in these cases is often the same: a failure to report, a failure to supervise, and a failure to act.

At Survivors of Abuse NJ, we fight on behalf of students and families whose lives have been shattered by school-based sexual abuse. We work to hold not only individual perpetrators accountable—but also the school districts and institutions that enabled or failed to prevent the abuse.

Attorney Joseph L. Messa, Jr., Esq., is nationally recognized for his experience in representing victims of sexual abuse, institutional negligence, and civil rights violations. If your child was harmed by someone in a position of trust—whether in a public school, private school, daycare, or after-school program—you may be entitled to pursue civil damages for pain, suffering, therapy costs, and more.

Legal Support for NJ Survivors and Their Families

New Jersey law allows victims of child sexual abuse to pursue civil lawsuits against abusers and negligent institutions, thanks in part to expanded statutes of limitations. Whether the abuse happened years ago or more recently, we encourage survivors and their families to come forward. You are not alone.

Legal action can provide:

• Financial compensation for emotional trauma and long-term care

• Accountability for the abuser and the institutions that allowed the abuse to happen

• A path toward healing and justice

Contact Survivors of Abuse NJ Today

If you or your child has experienced abuse at the hands of a teacher, janitor, coach, or other school employee, contact Survivors of Abuse NJ for a free, confidential consultation. Attorney Joseph L. Messa, Jr., Esq., will personally review your case and help you understand your legal rights.

Call us at (848) 290-7929 or visit https://survivorsofabusenj.com to schedule your consultation. Justice delayed does not have to mean justice denied.

Source:

https://www.abc4.com/news/crimes-against-children/janitor-fifth-child-sex-abuse-charges/