Teacher sexually assaults 13-year-old student in her classroom, California cops say

A teacher was arrested after being accused of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old in her classroom, California officials said.

The teacher, identified as Colleen Jo Matarico, 43, groomed a 13-year-old and sexually assaulted them in her classroom, according to a Nov. 8 news release by the Los Angeles Police Department.

The victim was identified as one of her students, police told CBS News.

Officials didn’t identify where Matarico was working as a teacher at the time of the crime.

Matarico is also accused of convincing the student to engage in sexual acts with her in her car, officials said.

Matarico, of Valley Village, was arrested on Nov. 7 on charges of lewd acts with a minor and furnishing marijuana to a minor, officials said.

She is being held on a $1.3 million bail, police said.

Officers believe there are more victims and ask anyone with information to call 424-259-7097, according to the release.

Valley Village is about a 15-mile drive northwest of downtown Los Angeles.

This story was originally published November 8, 2024 at 1:10 PM with the headline "Teacher sexually assaults 13-year-old student in her classroom, California cops say."