City, Rock Church Agree to Millions in Payouts Over Arabella McCormack Case

By San Diego Monitor News

A judge has approved a 21.5 million dollar settlement involving the City of San Diego, Rock Church, and other organizations in connection with the 2022 death of 11-year-old Arabella McCormack. The majority of the settlement funds will come from the city, Rock Church, and Pacific Coast Academy, with additional agreements still in progress.

The City of San Diego has agreed to pay 10 million dollars, although final approval from the City Council is still pending. Rock Church will pay 3 million dollars, reportedly through its insurance provider. Pacific Coast Academy, the charter school overseeing the girls’ homeschooling, has reached an agreement to pay 8.5 million dollars.

A settlement with San Diego County remains tentative, with details yet to be finalized.

The lawsuit, filed for Arabella’s two surviving younger sisters, describes years of escalating abuse and neglect inside the McCormack home. Court filings claim that the mistreatment was severe enough to constitute torture, starvation, and long-term physical and emotional harm. Prosecutors have made similar allegations in ongoing criminal proceedings.

The lawsuit argues that several individuals and organizations with mandated reporter responsibilities failed to take action, even when there were clear signs that the children were in danger. According to the filings, a San Diego police officer, who had personal ties to the family, allegedly provided wooden paddles used for discipline rather than reporting suspected abuse.

A chaplain linked to the city’s fire-rescue department and associated with Rock Church is reported to have visited the home days before Arabella’s death, at a time when the children’s deteriorating condition should have been evident. Staff members from Pacific Coast Academy, who interacted with the children through their homeschooling program, are also accused of failing to notify authorities. The complaint further states that county social workers did not properly investigate multiple earlier warnings about the girls’ welfare.

Rock Church released a public statement expressing sorrow over Arabella’s death and sympathy for her siblings. The church said it hopes the settlement will support the family’s healing process and announced plans to strengthen internal safeguards and oversight.

Church officials also stated that the adoptive mother, who once volunteered in the youth ministry, was removed from her role following her arrest.