A California teacher has been arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a 13-year-old boy after giving him marijuana.
Colleen Jo Matarico, a 43-year-old teacher at John Burroughs Middle School in Los Angeles, has been taken into custody on suspicion of child molestation.
Authorities stated that Matarico allegedly groomed and sexually assaulted a 13-year-old student in her class, and later had sexual intercourse with the student in her car. She reportedly convinced the victim to engage in sexual activity.
Matarico has been charged with five counts of lewd acts with a minor, two counts of lewd acts with a minor aged 14 or 15, and one count of furnishing marijuana to a minor.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities believe there may be additional victims who will come forward. The school principal stated that they are cooperating with the Los Angeles Metropolitan Police Department and that Matarico was arrested off-campus.
According to officials, the school received concerns about Matarico’s behavior in late October. Upon receiving these concerns, the school immediately contacted police and removed her from the campus. Notification was then sent to the families about the allegations.
The Los Angeles Police Department Juvenile Division Detectives and Crime Stoppers have requested that anyone with additional information or who may be victims of Matarico’s actions contact them.
Colleen is currently being held on a $1.3 million bond.
