Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_16-cv-01676/USCOURTS-cand-3_16-cv-01676-1/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 440
Nature of Suit: Other Civil Rights
Cause of Action: 28:1343 Violation of Civil Rights

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United States District Court

Northern District of California

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

MICHELE SMITH, et al.,

Plaintiffs,

v.

TOBINWORLD, et al.,

Defendants.

Case No. 16-cv-01676-RS 

ORDER GRANTING IN PART AND 

DENYING IN PART MOTION TO 

DISMISS

I. INTRODUCTION

In 2013, plaintiff MM was an eight-year-old boy ready to embark on the first grade of 

school. Due to his severe disabilities, the Antioch Unified School District (“AUSD”) paid for MM

to attend a private school for disabled children known as Tobinworld 2. Tobinworld promised 

Michele Smith, MM’s mother, she would be advised of MM’s progress, and promptly informed of 

any problems or issues that might arise throughout the school year. Keen to start learning, MM 

reported for duty, and two uneventful weeks ensued. After that fortnight, however, everything 

allegedly started to change. 

According to plaintiffs, Tobinworld personnel began restraining MM improperly and 

without justification for excessive periods of time. Outraged, Smith and MM brought a dozen 

claims against Tobinworld, Sarah Forghani (its principal), and Andrew Altes (an administrator). 

Forghani and Tobinworld now move to dismiss six of plaintiffs’ twelve claims, on the ground they 

fail to state facts sufficient to warrant relief. In the event defendants successfully dislodge 

plaintiffs’ federal jurisdictional hook—a Rehabilitation Act claim—they urge the dismissal of the 

remaining state law claims in lieu of asserting supplemental jurisdiction. The federal claim, 

however, adequately has been pleaded, and thus the state law claims must be considered. The 

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motion to dismiss will be granted with leave to amend as to MM’s UCL and Education Code 

claims, and his IIED claim directed against Tobinworld. The motion is denied as to all other 

claims.

II. FACTUAL BACKGROUND1

MM is a minor child residing in Antioch, California. He was born on August 23, 2006, 

and lives with Michele Smith, his mother. MM has been diagnosed with autism, asthma, seizures, 

bipolar disorder, ADHD, sensory processing disorder, mood disorder, chromosome six deletion, 

and four other gene deletions. In light of these disabilities, MM receives special education 

services that were selected by, paid for, and coordinated through AUSD.

In May 2013, AUSD assigned MM to first grade at Tobinworld 2, a school that enrolls 

students classified as severely emotionally disabled, autistic, or developmentally disabled. 

Tobinworld claims to have expertise in providing behavioral education for children. It advertises 

a philosophy that integrates special education with behavioral psychology. Tobinworld touts its 

state of the art behavior modification system, and insists its goal is to return students to public 

school or a competitive or sheltered work opportunity. 

About two weeks into his tenure at Tobinworld, MM’s trouble began. Though MM had 

never been found a danger to himself or others in any educational setting, Tobinworld personnel 

began restraining MM improperly for excessive periods of time. School personnel used a “basket 

hold” technique known to be a danger to children, and intentionally put strain on the pressure 

points of MM’s body. This practice continued on dozens of occasions over the next year, 

sometimes for periods of time lasting as long as thirty minutes. Tobinworld told Smith it would 

advise her promptly if any such problems occurred, but it failed repeatedly to inform her MM was

restrained without justification during school. Worse, MM avers Tobinworld concealed his abuse 

from law enforcement and others, and failed to report incidents of abuse as required by California

 

1

The factual background is based on the averments in the complaint, which must be taken as true 

for purposes of a motion to dismiss. 

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laws and regulations.

A particularly grim episode took place on April 29, 2014. Altes, an administrator, 

slammed MM’s head on his desk and rubbed his cheek back and forth until he was hurt. Altes 

also refused to release MM’s head despite his cries to be let go. MM left the incident with an 

abrasion on his cheek, in addition to psychological injury. Altes was physically rough with MM 

and other children of the school on other occasions, too. According to MM, Altes punched him in 

the chest during a subsequent interaction. MM also witnessed Altes slam a girl’s head onto her 

desk in such a way that she suffered a nose bleed. Even though the Antioch Police Department 

reported to Tobinworld in response to MM’s incident, Altes was observed exhibiting violent 

behavior toward children as soon as the next day. 

Alongside this conduct, Forghani, a supervisor, coached the school’s personnel to restrain 

students for minor rule infractions, even when less restrictive means of redirecting behavior were 

available. To create documentation justifying the use of physical force, Tobinworld also told 

personnel to complete false incident reports stating the student was “a danger to himself and 

others.” Compl. ¶ 38. Employees were further told to record they “prompted” or “redirected” the 

students to their seats, even when students were slammed down, pinned forcefully to their desks, 

and restrained improperly without justification. 

In May 2014, following the above incidents, Smith requested AUSD change MM’s 

placement. Her request was denied despite the district’s alleged knowledge of the abusive 

environment. Smith further avers Tobinworld failed to supervise its employees, provide training 

on the least restrictive means to restrain students, and employ certified behavior specialists with 

proper accreditations. This ultimately created a hostile environment for the school’s special needs 

students. MM, for his part, suffered severe social, emotional, and academic setbacks. While 

attending Tobinworld, he started having nightmares, became fearful and agitated easily, and began 

wetting and defacating himself. 

Smith, for herself and as MM’s guardian ad litem, commenced this action on April 5, 

2016. She asserts twelve claims against Tobinworld, Forghani, Altes, and AUSD, including: (1) 

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violation of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. § 794; (2) violation of the Rehabilitation 

Act by AUSD; (3) violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) of 1990, 42 U.S.C. § 

12132; (4) violation of the Unruh Civil Rights Act (“Unruh Act”), Cal. Civ. Code § 51 et seq.; (5) 

violation of the Unfair Competition Law (“UCL”), Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 17200 et seq.; (6) 

battery; (7) false imprisonment; (8) intentional infliction of emotional distress (“IIED”); (9) 

negligence; (10) negligent hiring, supervision, or retention; (11) violation of California Education 

Code § 220; and (12) violation of the mandatory duty to report suspected or actual child abuse. 

AUSD answered the complaint on May 13, 2016. Tobinworld and Forghani took a 

different course and filed this motion to dismiss.

III. LEGAL STANDARD

A complaint must contain “a short and plain statement of the claim showing that the 

pleader is entitled to relief.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a)(2). While “detailed factual allegations are not 

required,” a complaint must have sufficient factual allegations to “state a claim to relief that is 

plausible on its face.” Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678 (2009) (citing Bell Atlantic v. 

Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 570 (2007)). A claim is facially plausible “when the pleaded factual 

content allows the court to draw the reasonable inference that the defendant is liable for the 

misconduct alleged.” Id. This standard asks for “more than a sheer possibility that a defendant 

acted unlawfully.” Id. The determination is a context-specific task requiring the court “to draw on 

its judicial experience and common sense.” Id. at 679. 

A motion to dismiss a complaint under Rule 12(b)(6) of the Federal Rules of Civil 

Procedure tests the legal sufficiency of the claims alleged in the complaint. See Parks Sch. of 

Bus., Inc. v. Symington, 51 F.3d 1480, 1484 (9th Cir. 1995). Dismissal under Rule 12(b)(6) may 

be based either on the “lack of a cognizable legal theory” or on “the absence of sufficient facts 

alleged under a cognizable legal theory.” Balistreri v. Pacifica Police Dep’t, 901 F.2d 696, 699 

(9th Cir. 1990). When evaluating such a motion, the court must accept all material allegations in 

the complaint as true, even if doubtful, and construe them in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party. Twombly, 550 U.S. at 570. “[C]onclusory allegations of law and unwarranted 

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inferences,” however, “are insufficient to defeat a motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim.” 

Epstein v. Wash. Energy Co., 83 F.3d 1136, 1140 (9th Cir. 1996); see also Twombly, 550 U.S. at 

555 (“threadbare recitals of the elements of the claim for relief, supported by mere conclusory 

statements,” are not taken as true).

IV. DISCUSSION

Defendants seek to halve the complaint by moving to dismiss six claims, under the 

Rehabilitation Act, Unruh Act, UCL, IIED, Education Code, and child abuse reporting statutes. In 

the event defendants successfully dislodge plaintiffs’ federal jurisdictional hook—the 

Rehabilitation Act—they urge the dismissal of the remaining state law claims in lieu of asserting 

supplemental jurisdiction. The federal claim, however, adequately has been pleaded, and thus the 

state law claims must be considered. The motion to dismiss will be granted with leave to amend 

as to MM’s UCL and Education Code claims, and his IIED claim directed against the institution of 

Tobinworld. 

A. Federal Rehabilitation Act Claim

MM’s first claim asserts Tobinworld violated section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. That 

section provides “[n]o otherwise qualified individual with a disability . . . shall, solely by reason of 

her or his disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be 

subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” 

29 U.S.C. § 794. To establish a violation, a plaintiff must show “(1) she is handicapped within the 

meaning of the RA; (2) she is otherwise qualified for the benefit or services sought; (3) she was 

denied the benefit or services solely by reason of her handicap; and (4) the program providing the 

benefit or services receives federal financial assistance.” Lovell v. Chandler, 303 F.3d 1039, 1052 

(9th Cir. 2002). Tobinworld contests only elements three and four, and the complaint contains 

allegations reflecting the first two elements adequately have been pleaded.

1. Denied Benefits or Services Solely by Reason of Handicap

Tobinworld’s first line of attack is to argue MM does not plausibly plead he was denied 

any benefits or services while attending the school. The linchpin, to Tobinworld, is “whether 

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disabled persons were denied meaningful access to state-provided services,” Crowder v. 

Kitagawa, 81 F.3d 1480, 1484 (9th Cir. 1996) (internal quotation marks omitted), yet Tobinworld 

submits MM never was “denied access” to any benefit notwithstanding the hostile environment. 

Further, Tobinworld insists MM must plead it “acted in bad faith or with gross misjudgment.” See 

M.Y., ex rel., J.Y. v. Special Sch. Dist. No. 1, 544 F.3d 885, 890–91 (8th Cir. 2008). It maintains 

the allegations of wrongdoing in the complaint simply do not rise to that level.

These objections are off base. The Ninth Circuit does not require bad faith or gross 

misjudgment to state a Rehabilitation Act claim. See Duvall v. Cnty. of Kitsap, 260 F.3d 1124, 

1138 (9th Cir. 2001); Mark H. v. Hamamoto, 620 F.3d 1090, 1102 (9th Cir. 2010). Rather, an 

organization that discriminates “intentionally or with deliberate indifference” may be liable for 

compensatory damages. Mark H., 620 F.3d at 1097. Next, though it seems virtually self-evident, 

the complaint pleads adequately MM’s denial of meaningful access to the benefits of his public 

education. MM avers that, because of his disabilities,2Tobinworld restrained him improperly 

dozens of times, even when restraints were unjustifiable or less restrictive means were available. 

MM further avers he was punched in the chest, had his head slammed and pinned to his desk, and 

his cheeks rubbed continuously along the desk’s surface until a visible abrasion developed. 

Tobinworld also allegedly hits, slaps, and throws MM’s classmates to the floor, and restrains 

students unjustifiably for periods of time as long as thirty minutes. Suffice it to say it would be 

difficult for a student to participate in class while being physically restrained or while peeking up 

from the arm violently pinning their head against the surface of their desk. Recognizing as much, 

MM pleads Tobinworld “deprived [him of] time to learn or take part in class activities.” Compl. ¶ 

62. He also avers Tobinworld had knowledge of this conduct and failed to take any corrective 

action. See id. ¶¶ 27, 42. The complaint accordingly contains allegations sufficient to satisfy 

element three.

 

2 Drawing all inferences in favor of MM, as must be done here, it is plausible to conclude MM 

was restrained unjustifiably and physically abused solely due to his various disabilities. 

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2. Recipient of Federal Financial Assistance

Tobinworld next argues it is not a recipient of federal financial assistance, and accordingly 

is not subject to the nondiscrimination provision contained in the Rehabilitation Act. A word of 

background on the relevant statutory framework may be useful. 

Congress enacted the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (“IDEA”) in 1990 to 

“ensure that all children with disabilities have available to them a free appropriate public 

education [“FAPE”] that emphasizes special education and related services designed to meet their 

unique needs.” 20 U.S.C. § 1400(d)(1)(A). The IDEA accomplishes its purpose by providing 

federal funding to state and local education agencies to assist them in educating disabled children. 

Receipt of the funds is conditional on state and local education agencies implementing the 

substantive and procedural requirements of the IDEA. 

Among those requirements, the IDEA seeks to ensure disabled children are educated with 

children who are not disabled. Id. § 1412(5)(A). “The Act contemplates that such education will 

be provided where possible in regular public schools, with the child participating as much as 

possible in the same activities as nonhandicapped children, but the Act also provides for 

placement in private schools at public expense where this is not possible.” Sch. Comm. of Town of 

Burlington, Mass. v. Dep’t of Educ. of Mass., 471 U.S. 359, 369 (1985). See also 20 U.S.C. § 

1412(5); 34 C.F.R. § 300.132.

The complaint does not explicitly invoke this framework, but MM avers he “received 

special education services selected by, paid for[,] and coordinated through [AUSD].” Compl. ¶ 14. 

He goes on to state he “began as a special education student assigned by AUSD to Tobinworld” in 

May 2013. Compl. ¶ 15. Finally, “[u]pon information and belief,” he avers “Tobinworld receives 

substantial direct and indirect federal funding assistance.” Compl. ¶ 7. 

This final averment appears to be a factual allegation, but both parties proceed with the 

understanding “the question of which programs are subject to the [Rehabilitation Act] is a 

question of law, to be answered in most cases by reference to the statutory authority for the 

particular disbursements at issue.” Jacobsen v. Delta Airlines, Inc., 742 F.2d 1202, 1210 (9th Cir. 

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1984). To direct that inquiry, the Supreme Court has affixed a trio of helpful guideposts.

In Grove City College v. Bell, 465 U.S. 555 (1984), the Supreme Court considered in the 

context of Title IX the circumstances under which an entity qualifies as a recipient of federal 

financial assistance. Id. at 558. Title IX includes the federal funding language identical to that at 

issue here. See 20 U.S.C. § 1681(a) (prohibiting discrimination under “program or activity 

receiving Federal financial assistance”). Accordingly, “[t]he Supreme Court has treated this 

language in Title IX as coextensive with the language in the Rehabilitation Act.” Jacobsen, 742 

F.2d at 1212. In Grove City, the petitioner, a private college, did not receive any direct federal 

funds, but it elected to enroll students who received federal grants that must be used for 

educational purposes. Id. Looking at the text and history, the Court saw “no hint that Congress 

perceived a substantive difference between direct institutional assistance and aid received by a 

school through its students.” Id. at 564. It concluded the statute “encompass[es] all forms of 

federal aid to education, direct or indirect.” Id. (internal quotation marks omitted). 

Two years later, the Court had occasion to weigh in on this language again. See U.S. Dept. 

of Transp. v. Paralyzed Veterans of Am., 477 U.S. 597 (1986). In Paralyzed Veterans, a disabled 

veterans group argued the government could enforce the Rehabilitation Act against commercial air 

carriers by virtue of the federal government’s extensive program of financial assistance to airports. 

Even though the airport operators were the sole recipients of the federal financial assistance, the 

veterans argued the funds were used to construct runways, essentially converting the cash into 

structures that uniquely benefitted air carriers. Id. at 606. Rejecting this argument, the Court 

found “coverage extends to Congress’ intended recipient, whether receiving the aid directly or 

indirectly,” but coverage does not “follow[] the aid past the recipient to those who merely benefit 

from the aid.” Id. at 607. Unlike Grove City, the air carriers were not “mere conduits of the aid to 

its intended recipient, since, unlike the students, the airports are the intended recipients of the 

funds.” Id. The Court concluded the air carriers were not subject to the non-discrimination 

provisions of the Rehabilitation Act. Id. at 613. 

The Supreme Court distilled the lessons of these cases in National Collegiate Athletic 

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Association v. Smith, 525 U.S. 459 (1999). It considered whether the NCAA—a private 

association whose members include public and private universities—is a recipient of federal 

financial assistance. Id. at 462. The respondent argued the Association’s receipt of periodic dues 

from federally funded member institutions sufficed to bring it within the statute. Id. at 465. The 

Court disagreed, reiterating: “[e]ntities that receive federal assistance, whether directly or through 

an intermediary, are recipients within the meaning of [the statute]; entities that only benefit 

economically from federal assistance are not.” Id. at 468. “Unlike the earmarked student aid in 

Grove City,” there was no allegation “members paid their dues with federal funds earmarked for 

that purpose.” Id. As such, the respondent’s showing the NCAA indirectly benefits from the 

federal assistance afforded its members was insufficient to trigger the statute’s coverage. Id.

Building from Grove City, the Ninth Circuit instructs that when analyzing whether an 

entity receives federal financial assistance, “[c]ourts should focus . . . on the intention of the 

government” and “determine whether [it] intended to provide assistance or merely to compensate” 

the funding recipient. Jacobsen, 742 F.2d at 1210. Applying that framework, the Ninth Circuit 

found federal subsidies count as financial assistance. Id.

Here, Section 504 applies if Tobinworld receives IDEA funds, “whether directly or 

through an intermediary,” Smith, 525 U.S. at 468, so long as private education providers are one of 

“Congress’ intended recipient[s],” Paralyzed Veterans, 477 U.S. at 607, meaning the “federal 

funds [are] earmarked for that purpose,” Smith 525 U.S. at 468.3 According to the money trail 

detailed by the parties, this appears to be the case. 

Once again, the federal funding source offered by the parties is the IDEA, which affords 

funding to school districts to assist them in providing the required FAPE to disabled children. 20 

 

3

It is worth noting Tobinworld likely is a “program or activity” because it is a “private 

organization . . . principally engaged in the business of providing education.” 29 U.S.C. § 

794(b)(3)(A). Additionally, the federal regulations implementing the Act define recipient broadly 

as “any public or private agency, institution, organization, or other entity, or any person to which 

Federal financial assistance is extended directly or through another recipient.” 34 C.F.R. § 

104.3(f) (emphasis added).

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U.S.C. § 1411. In certain circumstances the Act “provides for placement [of special education 

students] in private schools at public expense” to ensure they receive the free and appropriate 

public education to which they are entitled. Town of Burlington, 471 U.S. at 369. See also 20 

U.S.C. § 1412(5); 34 C.F.R. § 300.133. In other words, when a disabled child, like MM, gets 

placed in private school on the public dime, that private school—Tobinworld here—is the 

intended recipient of the federal financial assistance disbursed via the IDEA. True, AUSD 

“selected,” “paid for,” and “coordinated” MM’s private school placement at Tobinworld, but like 

the students in Grove City, it served as a “mere conduit[] of the aid to its intended recipient.” 

Paralyzed Veterans, 477 U.S. at 607. Apparently ratifying this chain, Tobinworld admits “the 

local school district paid for MM’s special education at Tobinworld,” Reply at 5:11, and that 

AUSD “may receive federal funds.” Mot. to Dismiss at 10:25 (emphasis in original). All told, 

MM plausibly pleads Tobinworld fits the definition of an intended recipient of federal financial 

assistance under the Rehabilitation Act. See P.N. v. Greco, 282 F. Supp. 2d 221, 241 (D.N.J. 2003) 

(finding private school that accepted placement of handicapped student under IDEA was recipient 

of federal funds).

Invoking Paralyzed Veterans, Tobinworld objects to this analysis on the ground that to be 

a recipient of federal funds, the organization must be in a position to accept or reject the federal 

funds. See Paralyzed Veterans, 477 U.S. at 606. Like Grove City College, however, Tobinworld 

occupies that position, as it elects to take placements under the IDEA. The acceptance of those 

students, and the federal funds that support them, carries attendant obligations, one of which is the 

requirement not to discriminate in violation of section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

It is worth pausing to note Tobinworld ultimately may show it has not collected a single 

penny of IDEA money.4 Lacking judicially noticeable evidence to that effect, however, the 

complaint satisfies MM’s pleading stage burden on this particular element. The motion to dismiss 

 

4

Tobinworld submits it was paid pursuant to a contract with the Special Education Local Plan 

Area (“SELPA”), though again, it admits the SELPA and AUSD may receive federal IDEA 

funding.

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the Rehabilitation Act claim accordingly is denied.

B. State Law Claims

1. Unruh Act

MM’s first state law claim proceeds under the Unruh Civil Rights Act. Cal. Civ. Code § 51 

et seq. That statute provides “[a]ll persons within the jurisdiction of this state are free and equal, 

and no matter what their . . . disability . . . are entitled to the full and equal accommodations, 

advantages, facilities, privileges, or services in all business establishments.” Id. § 51(b). It also 

prohibits businesses from “discriminat[ing] against” any person on account of a protected 

characteristic, including disability. Id. § 51.5(a). “[A] plaintiff seeking to establish a case under 

the Unruh Act must plead and prove intentional discrimination,” Harris v. Capital Growth Inv’rs 

XIV, 52 Cal. 3d 1142, 1175 (1991), unless they are asserting an ADA violation as the predicate for

an Unruh Act violation, see Munson v. Del Taco, Inc., 46 Cal. 4th 661, 672 (2009).

MM has pleaded adequately a violation of the Unruh Civil Rights Act. He avers 

Tobinworld personnel deprived him of the services and privileges of the school “based on his

disabilities.” Compl. ¶ 105. They accomplished this, among other ways, by placing him in 

restraints unjustifiably and negligently supervising personnel, resulting in his physical abuse by 

Altes and others. MM specifically alleges Forghani directed and coached Tobinworld personnel 

“to improperly restrain MM for minor rule infractions.” Compl. ¶ 36. Drawing all inferences in 

favor of MM at this juncture, he pleads intentional discrimination. The motion to dismiss the 

Unruh Act claim accordingly will be denied.

2. UCL

MM’s next claim proceeds under the UCL. Section 17200 of California’s UCL prohibits 

all unlawful, unfair, or fraudulent business acts or practices. Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 17200 et 

seq. Each of these three types of business acts or practices is independently actionable; “a plaintiff 

may show that the acts or practices at issue are either unlawful or unfair or deceptive.” Walker v. 

Countrywide Home Loans, Inc., 98 Cal. App. 4th 1158, 1169 (2002). “A business practice is 

‘unlawful’ if it is forbidden by law.” Id. (internal quotation marks omitted). “Unfair” business 

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practices are those which “offend[] an established public policy”; are “immoral, unethical, 

oppressive, unscrupulous or substantially injurious to consumers”; or those which do not outweigh 

“the gravity of the harm to the alleged victim.” Id. at 1169–70 (internal quotation marks omitted). 

Finally, a business practice is “deceptive” if “members of the public are likely to be deceived.” Id.

at 1170. 

In order to satisfy the UCL’s standing requirements, a party must “(1) establish a loss or 

deprivation of money or property sufficient to qualify as injury in fact, i.e., economic injury, and 

(2) show that that economic injury was the result of, i.e., caused by, the unfair business practice or 

false advertising that is the gravamen of the claim.” Kwikset Corp. v. Superior Court, 51 Cal. 4th 

310, 322 (2011). Here, MM objects to Tobinworld’s advertising on the ground he deems it 

misleading, but concedes the practice caused him to suffer only “physical and psychological 

injuries.”5 Opp’n at 17:15–16. Given the complaint does not presently satisfy the UCL’s standing 

requirement, the motion to dismiss this claim will be granted with leave to amend. 

3. IIED

The third state law claim is brought by Smith and MM against Tobinworld, Forghani, and 

Altes on the theory they committed the tort of intentional infliction of emotional distress. To state 

an IIED claim, a plaintiff must allege “(1) extreme and outrageous conduct by the defendant with 

the intention of causing, or reckless disregard of the probability of causing, emotional distress; (2) 

the plaintiff suffered severe or extreme emotional distress; and (3) the plaintiff’s injuries were 

actually and proximately caused by the defendant’s outrageous conduct.” Cochran v. Cochran, 65 

Cal. App. 4th 488, 494 (1998). For conduct to be outrageous, it “must be so extreme as to exceed 

all bounds of that usually tolerated in a civilized community.” Id.

Here, the complaint contains allegations sufficient for MM to state an IIED claim against 

Forghani and Altes.6 MM avers Forghani “required” Tobinworld personnel to restrain him 

 

5

Tobinworld points out AUSD paid for the special education services provided to MM, and thus 

MM has not expended any funds.

6 Altes did not join the instant motion to dismiss, but his conduct is addressed because he was an 

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improperly and without justification, causing him both “physical and emotional harm.” Compl. ¶ 

42. Likewise, MM avers Altes punched him in the chest and slammed his head onto his desk, 

causing him to suffer “significant and enduring psychological injury.” Compl. ¶ 54. This conduct 

appears outrageous in light of the supervisorial position occupied by Forghani and Altes, and the 

fact that Altes was a 200-pound adult, whereas MM was a 60-pound eight-year-old. See Yurick v. 

Superior Court, 209 Cal.App.3d 1116, 1129 (Ct.App.1989) (“The extreme and outrageous nature 

of the conduct may arise not so much from what is done as from abuse by the defendant of some 

relation or position which gives the defendant actual or apparent power to damage the plaintiff's 

interests.”). The motion to dismiss these particular counts will thus be denied. 

MM nominally asserts an IIED claim against Tobinworld directly, but fails to articulate a 

theory demonstrating how its conduct was extreme and outrageous. He does aver Tobinworld had 

an obligation to protect children under its care, and notes Tobinworld should have disciplined or 

terminated Forghani and Altes. It is not clear the failure to discipline them, however, caused MM

severe emotional distress, or that the failure to fire them amounts to something greater than simple 

negligence. The motion to dismiss this count will be granted with leave to amend.

Smith asserts IIED claims against both Forghani and Tobinworld, relying on Phyllis v. 

Superior Court, 183 Cal. App. 3d 1193 (1986), for support. There, a mother brought an IIED 

claim against a school and several of its employees based on the sexual assault and rape of her 

daughter by a fellow student. Id. at 1194–95. The child’s teacher, school psychologist, and 

principal all knew of several incidents of sexual assault, but decided not to notify the mother of 

any of these events. Id. at 1195. The mother insisted she could have prevented the rape had she 

known of the earlier sexual assaults, and maintained the failure to notify her of the events caused 

her severe emotional distress. Id. The court sustained the mother’s IIED claim against the school 

and its employees, finding “defendants had a duty to notify petitioner upon learning of the first 

series of sexual assaults.” Id. at 1196. Instead, “they took it upon themselves to withhold that 

 

employee of Tobinworld, which does seek dismissal of an IIED claim.

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information” and “engaged in a ‘cover-up’ which they should have foreseen would cause 

petitioner more emotional distress than merely informing her of the incidents in the first place.” Id.

at 1196–97. 

Similarly here, Smith avers Forghani and Tobinworld had an obligation to protect children 

under their care, and were well aware MM repeatedly and unjustifiably was being restrained and 

physically mistreated by school personnel. Further, despite “promis[ing]” Smith upon MM’s 

enrollment she would be clued in to any problems or issues with MM, defendants failed to inform 

her “MM had been improperly restrained without justification during school.” Compl. ¶ 27. 

Worse, Smith avers Forghani and Tobinworld “concealed MM’s abuse from law enforcement and 

others,” Compl. ¶ 66 (emphasis added), even though it was foreseeable such conduct would (and 

did) cause Smith “extreme emotional upset and harm,” Compl. ¶ 68. In light of these allegations, 

Smith has pleaded outrageous conduct with reckless disregard of the probability of causing 

emotional distress. Cochran, 65 Cal. App. 4th at 494. The motion to dismiss the IIED claims 

against Forghani and Tobinworld will accordingly be denied.

4. Cal Educ. Code § 220

MM’s fourth claim proceeds under section 220 of the California Education Code. That 

provision provides “[n]o person shall be subjected to discrimination on the basis of disability . . . 

in any program or activity conducted by an education institution that receives, or benefits from, 

state financial assistance or enrolls pupils who receive state student financial aid.” Cal. Educ. 

Code § 220. As a threshold matter, the parties dispute whether this section contains a private right 

of action, yet the Education Code states “[t]his chapter may be enforced through a civil action.” Id.

§ 262.4. See also Donovan v. Poway Unified Sch. Dist., 167 Cal. App. 4th 567, 579 (2008) 

(reading section 220 to permit a private right of action); C.N. v. Wolf, 410 F. Supp. 2d 894, 903–04 

(C.D. Cal. 2005) (same).

Both parties agree that to state a viable claim, a plaintiff must allege: “(1) he or she 

suffered ‘severe, pervasive and offensive’ harassment, that effectively deprived plaintiff of the 

right of equal access to educational benefits and opportunities; (2) the school district had ‘actual 

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knowledge’ of that harassment; and (3) the school district acted with ‘deliberate indifference’ in 

the face of such knowledge.”

7 Donovan v. Poway Unified Sch. Dist., 167 Cal. App. 4th 567, 579 

(2008). Tobinworld contests only that MM suffered “severe, pervasive[,] and offensive” 

harassment. That argument, however, simply is wide of the mark. 

MM avers he was “denied learning time and opportunities when improperly restrained 

without justification,” Compl. ¶ 143, and was physically mistreated at the direction and coaching 

of several Tobinworld personnel. MM further avers Tobinworld “received regular reports of these 

improper restraints,” Compl. ¶ 42, yet refused to train its staff and indeed concealed the abuse 

from both parents and the police, id. ¶¶ 43, 66. The allegations in the complaint therefore satisfy 

the requisite elements, but the analysis of the section 220 claim does not end there. The pleading

fails to allege Tobinworld “receives, or benefits from, state financial assistance or enrolls pupils 

who receive state student financial aid.” Cal. Educ. Code § 220. Admittedly, it declares 

Tobinworld “receives substantial direct and indirect federal funding assistance,” Compl. § 7 

(emphasis added), and notes AUSD “paid for” MM’s “special education services,” id. § 14. 

Having argued these payments were a pass-through of federal funds, the latter statement does not 

necessarily establish Tobinworld benefits from state financial assistance. Thus, the motion to 

dismiss must be granted at this juncture, but with leave to amend.

5. Mandatory Child Abuse Reporting

MM’s final claim is brought against Forghani and Altes and is styled as if it proceeds 

under the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (“CANRA”). Cal. Penal Code §§ 11164 et seq. 

That statute requires certain persons, called “mandated reporters,” to report known or reasonably 

suspected child abuse or neglect. Id. §§ 11164, 11166. Among the mandated reporters are 

 

7 Donovan pertained specifically to a school’s liability for peer-on-peer harassment. 167 Cal. App. 

4th at 579. As such, it is not clear section 220 requires the deliberate indifference standard outside 

of that context. Still, MM pleads adequately intentional discrimination on the basis of his 

disabilities, so it is appropriate to examine the deliberate indifference standard nonetheless. 

Additionally, though Donovan’s articulation of the elements references a school district, the 

statute by its terms applies to any education institution that receives or benefits from state financial 

assistance. 

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“administrator[s] or employee[s] of a public or private organization whose duties require direct 

contact [with] and supervision of children.” Id. § 11165.7(a)(8).

Though MM asserts a private right of action arises directly under the Act, the authority he 

invokes states the statute can be employed as the basis for a negligence per se claim. See Landeros 

v. Flood, 17 Cal. 3d 399, 413 (1976) (“[B]y omitting to report plaintiff’s injuries to the authorities 

as required by law, defendants failed to exercise due care - a presumption now codified in 

Evidence Code section 669.”). The complaint apparently recognizes as much and proceeds under 

that theory, even though it fails to state the phrase “negligence per se” by name.

Negligence per se requires: (1) a defendant violated a statute, ordinance, or regulation; (2) 

the violation proximately caused injury; (3) the injury resulted from an occurrence the enactment 

was designed to prevent; and (4) the plaintiff was a member of the class of persons the statute was 

intended to protect. Ramirez v. Nelson, 44 Cal. 4th 908, 917–18 (2008). Here, MM avers Forghani 

was a mandated reporter because she was a teacher or administrative officer at a private school. 

He further avers “[n]o Tobinworld employee filed a report of suspected child abuse regarding MM 

at any time, including on April 29, 2014, when MM was visibly injured.” Compl. ¶ 57. The 

“breach in complying with the mandatory reporter duties” allegedly “contributed to MM’s 

injuries,” id. ¶ 148, as parents or police may have prevented further harassment. Finally, MM 

avers the statute was enacted “to protect minors from such abuse,” and he in fact is one of those 

contemplated minors. Id. ¶ 148. MM pleads adequately a claim for negligence per se against 

Forghani. The motion to dismiss this count accordingly will be denied.8

V. CONCLUSION

The motion to dismiss will be granted with leave to amend as to MM’s UCL and 

Education Code claims, and his IIED claim directed against Tobinworld. It is denied as to all 

other claims. Should plaintiffs elect to file an amended complaint, they must do so within thirty 

(30) days from the date of this order. 

 

8

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IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: June 28, 2016

______________________________________

RICHARD SEEBORG

United States District Judge

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