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SoCal teacher arrested for sexually assaulting teen
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SoCal teacher arrested for sexually assaulting teen

A 43-year-old teacher suspected of child molestation was arrested Thursday in Valley Village.

Colleen Jo Matarico was arrested Thursday on suspicion of lewd acts with a minor and was being held on $1.3 million bail, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

According to the policeMatarico allegedly groomed and sexually assaulted a 13-year-old in her classroom before convincing the minor to have sex in her vehicle.

Police said the investigation has been referred to the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office, and Matarico could face additional charges, including five counts of lewd acts with a minor, two counts involving minors between the ages of 14 and and 15 years and one count of furnishing marijuana to a minor.

Detectives assumed there were additional victims and released a photo of Matarico in hopes of getting more people to come forward.

Anyone with information regarding the alleged assault of any possible victims who choose to come forward was urged to call the LAPD Juvenile Division at 424-259-7097. After hours calls should be directed to 877-527-3247. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or visit crimestoppers.org.