A California elementary school teacher is charged with serious sexual offenses after he allegedly had intimate relationships with two boys.
• Also read: A Saint-Hyacinthe teacher is accused of touching nine elementary school students
Jacqueline Ma, 34, faces life in prison if convicted of the 10 counts against her.
The teacher, originally from San Diego, was the subject of an initial complaint last March when a 12-year-old boy allegedly told his mother that he had performed oral sex.
The complaint received by authorities alleged that the student and Jacqueline Ma had an “inappropriate relationship.”
The day after the complaint was filed, the American woman was arrested by police because they had enough evidence to question her.
Surprisingly, the Californian was named “Teacher of the Year” by her school district in 2022.
The professor, who was released on $100,000 bail, allegedly tried to contact her alleged victim shortly afterwards.
The defendant was re-arrested for the crime and remained incarcerated until July, while a new alleged victim came forward, Inside Edition reports.
The complaint alleges the teacher behaved inappropriately toward an 11-year-old child.
According to the San Diego Union Tribune, Jacqueline Ma took off her shirt and tried to get closer to her victim when they were alone in class.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to all charges against her.
The remainder of the trial is scheduled for January, when Ma is due to appear in court.