TOPSHOT - Picture taken on April 8, 2008 shows a ten-year-old Russian would-be ballerina's performing warm up exercises at the Vaganova Ballet Academy in St. Petersburg. The girls are preparing for their entrance trials in order to be accepted into the academy. AFP PHOTO / KIRILL KUDRJAVTSEV (Photo by KIRILL KUDRJAVTSEV / AFP) (Photo by KIRILL KUDRJAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images)
Hermosa Beach, California – A popular children’s dance studio in Hermosa Beach is at the center of a disturbing police investigation after a parent discovered hidden cameras were inside unisex bathrooms used by students, parents, and staff.
A parent made the unsettling discovery on Saturday morning at the Hermosa School of Dance and Music, located on the 1100 block of Aviation Boulevard. Police were called to the scene around 9:30 a.m. and confirmed that someone had placed multiple concealed cameras inside wicker baskets in the bathrooms.
The school, which serves toddlers to teenagers, has operated in the South Bay community for over 25 years and has more than a thousand enrolled students. The Hermosa Beach Police Department released a statement acknowledging the serious nature of the incident and its potential impact on the community.
“We understand the concern this incident may cause in our community — particularly among parents and families — and we want to assure residents that we are addressing this matter with the utmost seriousness,” the department said.
The hidden devices were turned over to studio staff immediately after being found and later handed over to authorities. As previously stated, the bathrooms are unisex and regularly used by children as young as 2 years old, as well as adult staff and parents.
As of this writing there are no suspects, and police have not made any arrests. Detectives are actively pursuing all available leads and are urging anyone with information to contact the department at 310-318-0360.
The studio’s longtime owner, Liliana Somma, expressed heartbreak and disbelief over the incident.
“I’m shocked, I’m heartbroken, and I’ve lost customers already,” Somma told local media. “We’re doing everything we can to get to the bottom of this.”
In response to the incident, Somma said the studio has taken immediate action, including hiring a private company to sweep the premises for additional surveillance devices. The studio has also purchased new camera-detection devices for regular internal sweeps and installed security cameras in the hallways to monitor who enters and exits the facility.
“We just installed devices that now will pick up any cameras, and mothers can buy these and bring them, even when they go to the mall, in a fitting room,” Somma told KTLA. “You just need to be aware.”
As the investigation continues, the community is left shaken by the violation of privacy in a space meant to be safe and nurturing for children. Authorities are urging vigilance and community cooperation as they work to ensure the safety of all students and bring those responsible to justice.
The story is ongoing and will be updated as soon as more information is available.
