Sexual abuse allegations at elite Carpinteria boarding school prompt sheriff's investigation Brittny Mejia, Colleen Shalby Law enforcement authorities are investigating reports of sexual abuse and misconduct by a former employee at the elite Cate School in Carpinteria, months after campus officials told alumni that they launched their own internal look into potential abuse that could date back decades. The investigation into allegations at the private boarding high school began on April 1, after the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office received a report from a mandated reporter outside of the school, said Raquel Zick, a public information officer with the sheriff's office. The alleged abuse occurred while the suspect was employed at the school and on school property, authorities said.