Photo: Andrew Ontiveros
The community surrounding Sycamore Valley Academy in Tulare County was rocked May 4th, when a teacher was arrested Friday morning on campus for molesting a student.
Part of the pre-employment process for potential Sycamore Valley Academy staff is a criminal background check. Andrew Ontiveros, 22, pass the background check and his references checked out. He accepted the position of physical education teacher and in 2017 began coaching the academy’s track and field team.
A criminal investigation was launched when a 7th grade student reported Ontiveros had behaved inappropriately. For six months, Ontiveros had been in contact with the minor through social media; they exchanged inappropriate photos and had sexual contact.
Of the incident Superintendent Ruth Dutton stated: “School staff are preparing to support the SVA community through this difficult time. When we return to school on Monday, we will have counselors and administrators available to assist students and parents who need support or have information to share.”
The statement was release Sunday which has many parents outraged they weren’t notified sooner, given the arrest occurred Friday and at the school, which is located just outside Visalia on Road 280.
Ontiveros, whose LinkedIn profile notes he also volunteered as a youth football coach, was booked into Tulare County Mail Jail. He is charged with suspicion of lewd acts on a child, child endangerment likely to cause great bodily harm, possession or control of child pornography, and sending harmful matter. His bail stands at $275,000.
Photo from Tulare County Sheriff’s Office
