Substitute Elementary School Teacher Accused of Sexually Assaulting Student
Above: Joseph Deluca booking photo | Santa Ana PD
Santa Ana police have reportedly arrested a substitute elementary school teacher on suspicion of sexually assaulting a student.
47-year-old Joseph Frances Deluca of Irvine was arrested earlier this week after a 10-year-old student at Edison Elementary School came forward with allegations that Deluca had touched her inappropriately. She also alleged that the assault had taken place in the classroom, police said.
By the time the allegation was referred to police, Deluca was no longer at the school. After speaking with other students, investigators learned that Deluca was now substitute teaching at Robert Heidman Elementary School in Tustin. He was soon located and arrested.
Police say Deluca has been a full-time teacher for fifteen years and a substitute teacher for another two, having taught at elementary and middle schools in Westminster, Buena Park, Santa Ana, Fountain Valley, and Tustin.
Santa Ana detectives believe there may be more victims, and are encouraging anyone with knowledge relevant to the case to contact Detective Jessica Taylor at 714-245-8349 or jtaylor5[at]santa-ana.org.
Tips may also be left with Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS.
