Chloe Oberholzer, a minor represented by her guardian ad litem, has filed a lawsuit against Oaks Christian School and several individuals for allegedly rescinding her admission based on false pretenses. The complaint was filed in the Superior Court of California, County of Ventura, on August 19, 2025. The defendants named in the case include Robert Black, Gabriel Michael Cohen, Shannon Cohen, and Oaks Christian School.
The case revolves around Chloe Oberholzer’s acceptance into Oaks Christian School on March 17, 2025. This opportunity was significant for Chloe and her family due to the school’s prestigious reputation. However, less than three months later, on June 5, 2025, Chloe’s family received an email from Cozy Darby at Oaks Christian School stating that her admission had been rescinded due to “non-payment” of a required fee. According to the complaint, this reason was fabricated as Chloe’s family had indeed paid all necessary fees.
The real reason behind the rescission allegedly stems from a meeting between defendants Gabriel Michael Cohen and Shannon Cohen with Robert Black. The Cohens reportedly requested that Chloe’s admission be revoked based on an incident from three years prior involving their daughter Zoe Cohen. During this past incident in fifth grade, it was Zoe who spread false rumors about Chloe’s father being imprisoned—a claim resolved at the time with both families agreeing to keep their children apart.
Despite these facts being known to the school administration, Robert Black allegedly accepted the Cohens’ demands without investigation or consideration of Chloe’s rights as an admitted student. The complaint accuses all defendants of acting maliciously and recklessly by perpetuating false statements that branded Chloe as a bully and harmed her family’s reputation.
The lawsuit asserts four causes of action: defamation (libel and slander), intentional interference with contractual relations, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and negligent infliction of emotional distress. It claims that these actions resulted in severe emotional distress for Chloe along with educational damages due to losing her place at Oaks Christian School.
Chloe seeks general damages for emotional distress and reputational harm; special damages for lost educational opportunities; presumed damages from defamation per se; punitive damages against specific defendants for their malicious conduct; costs incurred during litigation; and any other relief deemed appropriate by the court.
Representing herself pro se through her guardian ad litem Barend Oberholzer is plaintiff Chloe Oberholzer while no attorneys are listed for the defense yet in this filing. The case is presided over by Judge Susanne Léon under Case ID 2025CUDPO50080.
Source: 2025CUDF050080_Chloe_Oberholzer_v_Robert_Black_Complaint_County_of_Ventura_California.pdf
Source: 2025CUDF050080_Chloe_Oberholzer_v_Robert_Black_Complaint_County_of_Ventura_California.pdf
Source: 2025CUDF050080_Chloe_Oberholzer_v_Robert_Black_Complaint_County_of_Ventura_California.pdf
Source: 2025CUDF050080_Chloe_Oberholzer_v_Robert_Black_Complaint_County_of_Ventura_California.pdf
