Simi Valley Elementary Teacher Accused Of Having Sexual Relationship With Student
SIMI VALLEY (CBSLA.com) — A Simi Valley elementary school teacher has been accused of having a sexual relationship with a student.
The female instructor was placed on leave from Garden Grove Elementary School while police investigate the alleged inappropriate contact she had with a young boy.
"The relationship occurred sometime within the last four months and we are in the process of investigating the nature of that relationship," Sgt. Craig Dungan of the Simi Valley Police Department said.
KCAL9's Andrea Fujii reported that rumors were spreading on campus about the possible sexual misconduct.
Jay Lakhenpal, a past Garden Grove student, said his friends heard a sixth-grader brag about how he had sex with a sixth-grade teacher.
"The way that kid's background was…kinda makes it seem like they were rumors," Lakhenpal said.
Parent Efrain Munoz said his son brought home a letter from the principal about the situation on Feb. 26 which said, in part, "Steps are being taken to address allegations recently raised about inappropriate conduct by a teacher at our school. All complaints related to teacher misconduct will be responded to quickly and assertively."
"What's really going on?" asked Munoz. "They don't tell you that much in the letter and that's the problem that I have."
Chris Hunt, a Garden Grove teacher, said she hopes the investigation doesn't tarnish the school's reputation.
"When all of this is done and over with, people will realize that we are a great school and a great community," she said.
"It's presently an investigation by the Simi Valley Police Department and until there is a conclusion we're not going to make any comments," Assistant Superintendent Cary Dritz said.
