2 Moms Accused Of Vandalizing Elementary School Classroom In Adelanto

ADELANTO (CBSLA.com) — Two mothers have been accused of vandalizing an elementary school classroom in Adelanto.

Lori Marie Yuan and Chrissy Guzman are expected to be arraigned Monday on felony vandalism charges for allegedly causing more than $400 in damage at the Desert Trails Elementary School on June 26, 2013.

KCAL9's Crystal Cruz reports that an activist group questioned why it took the San Bernardino County district attorney five months to file charges. Others wondered if a cover-up was going on because Yuan is chairman of Adelanto's planning commission.

In a statement, Christopher Lee, a spokesman for the district attorney's office, said, "I can assure you that there wasn't a cover-up. In this particular case, we simply requested further investigation and follow-up regarding the cost of damages. This case was handled properly as far as we are concerned, and the fact is Ms. Yuan and Ms. Guzman have been charged."

Parents Cynthia Ramirez and Doreen Diaz suspect the two women were upset because their children's school was the first in the state to take advantage of the "parent trigger" law, which allowed parents to replace management with new talent at under-performing schools.

"It's sad that they went to extreme extent because they really didn't damage the adults that were fighting, they actually damaged the children," Diaz said. "It delayed the process to start the school. We could have fixed those classrooms and got them ready sooner."

Diaz told Cruz that she would like to see Yuan resign from the planning commission. Meantime, the commission's vice chairman, Christopher Waggener, basically said, "Let the wheels of justice play out before passing judgment."

Yuan said via phone she had no comment on the situation. Cruz wasn't able to reach Guzman.