An award-winning teacher in California is facing a slew of child sex abuse charges.
Jacqueline Ma, 34, a sixth-grade teacher at Lincoln Acres Elementary School in San Diego, was charged with six counts of sexual misconduct: three counts of lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14 and three counts of oral copulation with a child under 14, according to San Diego County Sheriff’s Department records obtained by KNSD.
In 2022, Ma was one of five San Diego “Teachers of the Year.”
An investigation was launched after a parent reported Monday that she had concerns her 13-year-old child may have had an inappropriate relationship with a former teacher, the National City Police Department said in a news release.
“Both law enforcement and our site staff collaborated to ensure that student learning and the campus climate were not interrupted,” District Superintendent Leighangela Brady said in statement.
“We can confirm that the student no longer attends our school, and we assure you that we will do everything we can to support the investigation.”
Cops said Ma was arrested “on the allegation of having a physically inappropriate relationship with a former student.”
It is unclear when the alleged abused took place, though it is believed there was only one alleged victim, Brady confirmed to the outlet.
“We know that our entire school community is as stunned as we were by this news,” Brady added. “The district will cooperate with law enforcement and cannot comment any further on the pending investigation.
“We will continue to do everything possible to keep our students’ safety, needs, and education first and foremost.”
Ma was booked at the Las Colinas Detention and Reentry Facility where she is being held on $100,000 bond.
When she was named a Teacher of the Year last year, Ma said in a “Salute to Teachers” tribute that she “considers the relationships she maintains with her students her greatest accomplishments.”
She is expected in court on March 14.
