A first-grade teacher in California has been charged with sexually assaulting six female students, according to authorities.
Martin Reyes Jr., 29, was arrested on Monday by detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department's Juvenile Division. Reyes, who taught at Sunrise Elementary School in East Los Angeles, is facing 10 counts of lewd acts on a child under the age of 14, as reported by the Los Angeles district attorneys office. His bail has been set at $1 million, and he remains in jail.
The investigation began after the family of a female student reported on May 22 that their daughter had been sexually abused by a teacher at Sunrise Elementary School in the Boyle Heights neighborhood. Subsequent police investigations revealed five more girls with similar allegations of child sexual abuse.
The Los Angeles Unified School District released a statement saying, "In late May, the school community expressed concerns about this employee. Upon receiving these concerns, we immediately contacted the Los Angeles Police Department and removed the employee from campus pending the results of an investigation."
According to the district attorney's office, Reyes sexually abused the six female students during recess inside the classroom.
Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascn emphasized the importance of creating a safe and nurturing environment for students, stating, "Our educators are entrusted with creating a safe and nurturing environment where students can learn and grow without the fear of abuse or exploitation. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that schools are places where all students can thrive, free from the threat of sexual violence. I encourage any victim of childhood sexual assault to contact our Bureau of Victim Services to receive trauma-informed care."
Reyes is scheduled to appear in court on September 27 for a preliminary hearing to determine if there is sufficient evidence to proceed with a trial. The Los Angeles Police Department is currently investigating whether there are additional victims.
The school district emphasized the importance of reporting any concerns to the school or local authorities, stating, "The students and the greater school community are always encouraged to share any and all concerns with their school or with local authorities."
The employment status of Reyes with the school has not been clarified at this time.
Login