East Bay Teacher Arrested In Alleged Sex Case Involving Students

LAFAYETTE (CBS SF) -- An East Bay woman accused of having sexual contact with two students while she was a teacher at Acalanes High School over 20 years ago was arrested Wednesday evening, according to authorities.

Detectives with the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Department arrested 54-year-old Kyle Ann Wood at her home in Pleasant Hill Wednesday evening at around 6:30 p.m.

Lafayette Police Department, working with the sheriff's office, recently opened an investigation into Wood after reports surfaced of alleged inappropriate and unlawful relationships between Wood and two students at Acalanes High School when she worked there between 1996-1998.

The complaint, filed Thursday in Martinez, described unlawful relationships with two students, but charges come from just one -- a "Jane Doe" victim under the age of 18.

"The victim came forward to law enforcement just last year, in October of 2019. At that point the sheriff's department started investigating," said Contra Costa County Deputy District Attorney Colleen Gleason. "The second victim is deceased."

Gleason said the nature of the accusations and the fact that Wood was currently employed as an art and PE teacher at Miramonte, led investigators to move quickly.

As for the statute of limitations on these crimes, Gleason noted, "There are certain exceptions for crimes against children, as long as they involve substantial sexual conduct, and that there is clear and convincing evidence that supports the case as well."

The Contra Costa District Attorney's Office filed felony sex charges against Wood. She has been booked into the Martinez Detention Facility and is being held on $150,000 bail.

The school district was informed of the arrest Wednesday evening.

"We became aware last night of the arrest of one of our teachers from Miramonte High School, Kyle Wood, she was arrested for felony sex crimes," said Acalanes Union High School District Superintendent John Nickerson.

Superintendent Nickerson said parents and staff were notified Thursday and an investigation is underway.

"If anyone knows anything, we want them to come forward," said Nickerson. "The teacher is on administrative leave, pending the police investigation and our own internal investigation that has commenced."

Lafayette police are asking anyone with additional information regarding the case to contact detectives at (925) 283-3680 or (925) 299-3234 or email Sergeant T. Rossberg at tross@so.cccounty.us.

Wilson Walker contributed to this story.