Photo: Shawn Michael Jones
Originally published as a Yuba County District Attorney’s Office Facebook post –
“This week Shawn Michael Jones (26), of East Linda, was sentenced to 14 years, 8 months, in prison for sexually molesting five different children in our community. He will be required to register as a sex offender and serve 85% of his sentence before being released on parole.
Jones was arrested in October 2020, after an investigation by the Yuba County Sheriff’s Department. During the course of the investigation, it was determined that there may be other victims of sexual abuse who have yet to be identified. The Yuba County Sheriff’s Department is requesting that anyone with information contact the Detective’s Unit at 530-749-7777.
Parents often ask what they can do to prevent their children from becoming victims of child molestation. Unfortunately, child molesters are typically trusted individuals, family members or friends. Child molesters are master manipulators who will try to isolate your child through secrets, gifts, and fear. It’s okay to keep the circle of people you allow to be alone with your young children very small. Trust your gut, and don’t let relatives or friends pressure you into allowing access to your child that makes you uncomfortable.
As a second line of defense, it is imperative to teach your children early the knowledge and skills they will need if they encounter a child molester. Start with proper names for their private parts. Help them understand that those are special parts that nobody is allowed to touch (except your parents, caregivers and doctor under appropriate circumstances). Teach them to trust their “uh oh feeling,” and give them permission to run from an unsafe adult to an adult they trust. Help them understand the difference between surprises and secrets, and that children never get to have secrets from their parents. Finally, make sure your children know that if a person ever touches their private parts that they are not in trouble, and they need to tell their parents or another trusted adult right away.
If your child does disclose sexual abuse, it’s important to remain calm and listen. Contact law enforcement as early as possible without alerting the abuser. In Yuba County we have some amazing DA Investigators, detectives, and social workers who, have special training for interviewing children who may have been abused. If abuse is discovered, the law enforcement officers, prosecutors, victim advocates and social workers will walk with you towards recovery and justice.”
