An incident has taken place at Lincoln Acres Elementary School in National City. On Tuesday, a sixth-grade teacher was arrested on suspicion of having an inappropriate relationship with a former student. This news has left the entire school community stunned, and education officials are taking measures to ensure that the safety and education of students remain a top priority.
The arrest took place around 8 a.m. on the school’s campus. According to National School District Superintendent Leighangela Brady, the arrest was made away from students. Law enforcement and site staff collaborated to ensure that student learning and the campus climate were not disrupted.
Brady has confirmed that the student involved in the alleged incident no longer attends the National School District. Officials have also stated that they are unaware of any other victims. However, they will cooperate with law enforcement and cannot comment further on the ongoing investigation.
Prior to the arrest, a concerned parent had contacted the National City Police Department on March 6 to report that she suspected her 13-year-old child was possibly having an inappropriate relationship with a former teacher. Police immediately began investigating the allegation with the help of school resource officers.
On the morning of March 7, officers developed probable cause to arrest the teacher. She has since been identified as 34-year-old Jacqueline Ma, who has been booked into Las Colinas Women’s Detention Facility on suspicion of two felony charges, including lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14.
A spokesperson for the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office has stated that Ma has bailed out of jail and has a return date of March 14. The case will be under review until that time. However, NCPD says that they will not be releasing any additional information about this case as the victim is a minor and the investigation is ongoing.
This news has left many parents in shock, especially since Ma was named one of San Diego County’s Teachers of the Year for 2022-2023. José Antonio, a parent of a fifth-grader who goes to Lincoln Acres Elementary School, has stated that the school sent out emails assuring parents that they would take care of the kids and be very cautious about what’s going on.
This incident highlights the importance of maintaining appropriate boundaries between teachers and students. It is crucial that school officials remain vigilant and take prompt action if they suspect any inappropriate behavior. The safety and well-being of students should always remain the top priority.
