The McMartin preschool trial

The McMartin preschool trial was a highly publicized legal case in the 1980s in California, where staff at a preschool were accused of sexually abusing children. The accusations emerged after a child made a claim that was later amplified by suggestive questioning from investigators. The trial lasted for years, involved numerous allegations, and was marked by media frenzy and public hysteria. Ultimately, no one was convicted, raising significant concerns about investigative techniques, the reliability of children’s testimonies, and the potential for false accusations. The case has had a lasting impact on child abuse investigations and legal practices.