San Bernardino Superior Court – Rancho Cucamonga District
Case No.: CIVRS2506516
Volunteer Discrimination Lawsuit in California
A case raising serious questions about how volunteers are treated under California law, including the protections recognized under Assembly Bill 1443.
This website provides information regarding the civil action Bautista v. Hillside Community Church, Inc., et al., Case No. CIVRS2506516, pending in San Bernardino County, California. This matter is presented as a California volunteer discrimination lawsuit involving allegations of retaliation, unequal treatment, and wrongful removal within a religious organization.
The claims arise from Plaintiff’s long-term service in the church’s worship ministry and raise significant issues related to church volunteer rights in California. Plaintiff alleges that, despite years of consistent service, demonstrated qualifications, and leadership experience, she was treated differently from others, denied opportunities for participation, and ultimately excluded under circumstances that present serious concerns under California discrimination law.
This case further implicates the legal framework surrounding Assembly Bill 1443 (AB 1443), which recognizes important protections for volunteers and prohibits certain forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. The allegations in this action highlight how these AB 1443 volunteer protections may apply in the context of religious and nonprofit institutions.
As alleged in the filed Complaint, Plaintiff suffered severe and ongoing emotional distress, resulting in documented psychological impact requiring continued therapy and care. This emotional harm developed over time as a result of repeated exclusion, lack of resolution, and retaliatory conduct.
The Complaint further alleges that this prolonged emotional distress manifested in serious physical health conditions, including a persistent chronic cough lasting over 15 months, repeated medical interventions, and escalating specialist care.
Ultimately, Plaintiff was diagnosed with Bronchiectasis, a chronic and irreversible lung condition requiring lifelong treatment, along with related conditions including neurogenic cough, vocal dysfunction, and laryngeal disorders.
These injuries, as alleged, reflect the profound and lasting impact that sustained emotional stress and discriminatory treatment can have on an individual’s physical health.
Importantly, the Court granted Plaintiff leave to amend her Complaint, allowing the filing of a Second Amended Complaint (SAC) to update and expand the allegations. The SAC includes additional factual detail, strengthened legal claims, and the inclusion of individual Defendants in their personal capacities, holding leadership directly accountable for their actions.
All information provided on this website is based on Plaintiff’s allegations as set forth in filed court documents and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing on this website constitutes legal advice, and all defendants deny liability unless proven otherwise in a court of law.
Case Overview
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- Case Type: Other Employment Unlimited
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- Court: San Bernardino County Superior Court
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- Case Number: CIVRS2506516
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- Filing Date: 8/8/2025
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- Type of Case: Volunteer Discrimination Lawsuit
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- Key Legal Issues: Discrimination, Retaliation, AB 1443 Violations
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- Court Location: Rancho Cucamonga
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- Judicial Officer: Gilbert Ochoa
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- Status: Active
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- Next Hearing: 5/20/2027 9:00AM Dept R17 – Rancho Cucamonga
Parties Named in the Action
The lawsuit names Hillside Community Church, Inc., a religious nonprofit organization based in Rancho Cucamonga, California, along with certain individuals who, according to the Complaint, held leadership or decision-making roles:
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- Pamela Schlappi, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Board Member
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- Ron Nottingham, Executive Director of Operations
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- Aaron McRae, Senior Pastor
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- Harmony Bathauer, Worship Pastor
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- Kelly Roth, Community Pastor
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- Jamie Eriksen, Board Member
Legal Issues Presented
This lawsuit addresses critical legal issues related to:
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- Volunteer rights in California
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- Discrimination in religious organizations
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- Wrongful termination of volunteers
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- Retaliation for protected activity
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- AB 1443 protections for volunteers
Status of the Case
This matter is currently pending litigation, and no court has made any findings of fact or liability.
Plaintiff seeks damages, relief, and a legal determination regarding the rights of volunteers under California law.
Important Notice
All statements on this website reflect allegations made in a pending legal action.
All defendants deny liability, and no court has issued a final ruling.
Personal Statement
This website reflects Plaintiff’s perspective and personal experience as alleged in the litigation. It is intended to document her journey through the legal process and the broader issues raised in the case.
Legal Protections and Public Interest Statement
Plaintiff’s statements are made in connection with matters of public interest and ongoing litigation, and are intended to be protected under applicable law, including California’s anti-SLAPP statute (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 425.16) and the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.
Through this action, Plaintiff seeks to raise awareness regarding the rights of volunteers under California law and to contribute to broader discussions about accountability, fairness, and equal treatment within nonprofit and religious organizations.
I invite you to stay in the loop: explore firsthand accounts of covert hostility and overt retaliation; read the personal letters and medical reports that document my fight; learn how an organization I loved became the source of my deepest wounds. This isn’t just a chronicle of pain—it’s a testament to resilience, faith, and the pursuit of justice.
Purpose of This Case and Website
The purpose of this website is not only to document this legal case, but to establish a legal and public precedent that encourages religious institutions, churches, and nonprofit organizations to operate within the bounds of the law.
This case seeks to raise awareness that:
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- Volunteers in California are legally protected from discrimination and retaliation
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- Religious organizations are not exempt from civil rights violations when engaging in unlawful conduct
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- Leadership can be held individually accountable for discriminatory actions
By bringing this case forward, Plaintiff aims to help prevent future harm and ensure that no volunteer is silenced, excluded, or mistreated without accountability.
Stay Informed & Follow the Case
I invite you to stay informed and follow the ongoing developments in Bautista v. Hillside Community Church, Inc., et al.
On this platform, you will find documented evidence, including firsthand accounts, written communications, and medical records, that reflect the impact of the events underlying this case. You will also gain insight into how a long-term volunteer experience evolved into a matter of civil rights, accountability, and legal action.
This is not only a personal story—it is part of a broader effort to bring awareness to volunteer discrimination, retaliation, and the importance of lawful conduct within religious and nonprofit organizations.
Subscribe for Updates
To receive updates regarding this case, you may subscribe via email:
bautistavshillsidechurch@gmail.com
Please include the subject line: “Bautista v. Hillside Church” and add this email to your contacts to ensure delivery.
Follow the Case Online
Stay connected through the following platforms for updates, filings, and case-related content:
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Website: bautistavshillsidechurchranchocucamonga.com
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Instagram: instagram.com/bautistavshillsidechurch
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TikTok: tiktok.com/@bautistavshillsidechurch
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YouTube: youtube.com/@bautistavshillsidechurch
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Facebook: facebook.com/bautistavshillsidechurch
Join the Journey
Join me as I reclaim my narrative—one chapter at a time.
This case reflects broader concerns that have been discussed in both legal and academic contexts, including issues related to spiritual authority, leadership accountability, and the potential for misuse of power within religious organizations.
“Spiritual abuse occurs when someone in a position of spiritual authority misuses that authority—placing themselves above God’s people to control, coerce, and manipulate them under the guise of seemingly good purposes that are actually their own.”
— Jeff VanVonderen, The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse
This case invites a closer look at how these concepts may intersect with civil rights law, volunteer protections, and organizational responsibility.
Legal Education Resource
For those interested in understanding legal defenses that may arise in cases involving public statements or advocacy, including Anti-SLAPP motions (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation), you may find the following educational resource helpful:
Anti-SLAPP Motion Explained by Attorney Steve®
I will also be adding YouTube videos with firsthand testimonies documenting abuse by church leaders, so you can see and hear their accounts directly. Check the following videos.
Exposing Spiritual Abuse in Church Leadership | Healing from Church Hurt
He Was Abused by a Church Leader and Told to Stay SILENT
How to Identify Spiritual Abuse by a Spiritual Leader