A former Los Angeles Unified School District middle school teacher pleaded not guilty Tuesday to lewd and lascivious charges involving a teenager who was one of her students.

Superior Court Judge Susan J. De Witt ordered Colleen Jo Matarico of Valley Village to remain behind bars in lieu of $590,000 bail.

The 43-year-old woman will be subject to GPS tracking if she can post bond, the judge said.

Deputy Public Defender Carlos Bido noted that the defendant asked to be released on his own recognizance or GPS tracking and said the mother of two minor children is “currently unemployed.”

Assistant District Attorney Ariel Anson opposed any reduction in Matarico’s bail, arguing that “the defendant’s conduct has worsened” after she apparently thought an initial investigation into the alleged misconduct was over. The prosecutor said the woman’s messages indicated she was “in love” with the boy and that he was “the only person she would go to jail for”.

The judge signed an order that Matarico have no contact with the boy.

Matarico is charged with five felony counts of felony battery on a child under the age of 14, two felony counts of felony battery on a 14- or 15-year-old child, and one felony count of furnishing a controlled substance to a minor, according to Los Angeles. County Prosecutor’s Office.

The complaint alleges that the victim was particularly vulnerable and that Matarico took advantage of his position of trust and confidence to commit the crimes.

Matarico allegedly engaged in an inappropriate relationship with the boy, beginning when he was 13 in 2023 and continuing until he was 14 this year, and supplied him with cannabis, according to prosecutors.

Matarico allegedly convinced the victim to have sex with her in her vehicle, according to a statement released by the Los Angeles Police Department.

Her LinkedIn profile states that she is a special education teacher in the Los Angeles Unified School District. She was listed as a teacher at John Burroughs Middle School in Hancock Park on the school’s website, but is no longer listed.

Matarico — who was arrested last Thursday by LAPD Juvenile Division detectives — is due back in a downtown Los Angeles courtroom on Nov. 26. A date is then scheduled to be set for a hearing to determine if there is enough evidence to allow the case. against her to go to court.

“The allegations against Ms. Matarico are deeply disturbing and violate the trust placed in her by the students, their families and the entire community,” District Attorney George Gascón said in a statement last week announcing the charges. “I want to recognize the bravery of the young victim and her decision to report the abuse. Our office and investigators are also working to identify any additional victims. The office will seek justice for the victim and those affected by Matarico’s actions.”

If convicted as charged, she could face up to 20 years and four months in state prison, according to the Prosecutor’s Office.

Los Angeles police said in the statement that detectives believe there are additional, unidentified victims who have not yet come forward.

Anyone with information about Matarico was asked to call Juvenile Division detectives at 424-259-7097. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.

Originally published: November 12, 2024 at 3:50 PM PST