Visalia teacher accused of having sex with former student
VISALIA – Police are investigating a Visalia special education teacher who has been accused of having sex with a former student.
Lianne Trout, 27, was arrested on Dec. 15 on five counts of unlawful sex with a minor and oral copulation. She posted bail, which was set at $125,000, on Dec. 16.
Trout was hired at Mt. Whitney High School in the Visalia Unified School District as a resource specialist and special day teacher in August. She taught U.S. history, geography, and algebra, and may have taught students who were not in special education.
The minor in question is a 16-year-old former male student. At this point, it is unknown whether the student was identified as a special education student. Police said that they do not believe the alleged sexual acts took place on campus.
Trout resigned from her position the day of her arrest. If she is convicted, she will never be allowed to teach in the state of California again.
The Visalia Police Department is investigating the allegations and trying to determine if this was an isolated incident or if there are more victims.
“We take these matters very seriously,” Visalia Police Chief Colleen Mestas said.
Mestas said that it will be a lengthy investigation because of the nature of the alleged crimes, which “occur behind closed doors without witnesses.”
Trout, who is married with one daughter, lives in Auberry. She has a master’s degree in agriculture science and earned her special education teaching credential earlier this year.
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