Pasadena Fire Captain Christopher Ramstead arrested for child sexual abuse crimes, police say – ABC7 Los Angeles

Report on the Arrest of Pasadena Fire Captain for Child Sexual Abuse Allegations

Incident Overview

Christopher Ramstead, a fire captain with the Pasadena Fire Department, was arrested by the Los Angeles Police Department on allegations of child sexual abuse. The arrest reportedly involves “continuous” sexual abuse against a child or possibly multiple children. The arrest occurred while Ramstead was off-duty.

Details of the Arrest

• Arrest Date: Wednesday night (specific date not disclosed)
• Age of Suspect: 47 years old
• Bond Posted: $550,000
• Court Appearance: Scheduled for February 26, 2026

Employment Background

1. Hired by the City of Pasadena: 2005
2. Promoted to Fire Captain: 2016
3. Status: Placed on immediate administrative leave following arrest

Official Statement from the City of Pasadena

“The City of Pasadena is aware of the arrest of a Pasadena Fire Captain while off-duty. The alleged incident(s) occurred outside the scope of the employee’s official duties. The Fire Captain was immediately put on administrative leave while the investigation(s) take place. Due to active investigation(s) the City cannot comment any further.”

Emphasis on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Relevant SDGs Addressed in the Context of This Incident

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – Protecting children from abuse is critical to ensuring their physical and mental health and well-being.
• SDG 5: Gender Equality – Addressing sexual abuse contributes to gender equality by safeguarding the rights and dignity of all children, particularly girls who are disproportionately affected.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions – The arrest and ongoing investigation demonstrate the commitment to justice and the rule of law, ensuring accountability and protection for vulnerable populations.
• SDG 4: Quality Education – Creating safe environments for children supports their ability to learn and thrive in educational settings.

Importance of Upholding SDGs in Public Service

Public institutions, including fire departments, play a vital role in promoting and protecting human rights and community safety. This case highlights the necessity of:

• Strict adherence to ethical standards by public servants.
• Swift and transparent action when allegations arise to maintain public trust.
• Ensuring child protection policies and support systems are in place.

Conclusion

The arrest of a public safety official on serious allegations underscores the ongoing challenges in safeguarding children and upholding justice. It also reflects the broader societal responsibility aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals to create safe, just, and inclusive communities.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • The article discusses the arrest of a public official (fire captain) for child sexual abuse, highlighting issues related to justice, law enforcement, and institutional accountability.
2. SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • Child sexual abuse is a critical issue affecting the safety and rights of children, often disproportionately impacting girls and women, thus relating to gender equality and protection from violence.
3. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Child sexual abuse has severe physical and mental health consequences, linking the issue to the promotion of well-being and protection from violence and exploitation.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs

1. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children.
   • Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.
2. SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation.
3. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Target 3.4: Reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
   • Target 3.7: Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for the prevention and treatment of abuse.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. For SDG 16 Targets:
   • Indicator 16.2.1: Proportion of children aged 1-17 years who experienced any physical punishment and/or psychological aggression by caregivers in the past month (implied by the focus on child abuse).
   • Indicator 16.3.1: Proportion of victims of violence in the previous 12 months who reported their victimization to competent authorities or other officially recognized conflict resolution mechanisms (implied by the arrest and investigation process).
2. For SDG 5 Target:
   • Indicator 5.2.1: Proportion of ever-partnered women and girls aged 15 years and older subjected to physical, sexual or psychological violence by a current or former intimate partner in the previous 12 months (implied by addressing sexual abuse and violence).
3. For SDG 3 Targets:
   • Indicator 3.4.2: Suicide mortality rate (related to mental health impacts of abuse, implied).
   • Indicator 3.7.2: Adolescent birth rate (implied in broader sexual and reproductive health context).

4. Table of SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: abc7.com