Schoolteacher in Southern California charged with molesting student, 13, in car

A 43-year-old schoolteacher in Los Angeles has been arrested and charged with the alleged sexual assault of a 13-year-old student in her class and investigators believe there may be additional victims, authorities announced Thursday.

Colleen Jo Matarico, a resident of Valley Village, was arrested Nov. 7 in connection with the allegations, according to a news release from the Los Angeles Police Department.

"Matarico, a teacher, groomed and sexually assaulted a 13-year-old victim in her classroom, and later convinced the victim to have sexual intercourse in her vehicle," investigators said.

Officials did not provide any information on where Matarico teaches, but said after filing the case the L.A. County District Attorney's Office, she was charged with five counts of lewd acts with a minor, two counts of lewd acts with a minor 14 or 15 years old and one count of furnishing marijuana to a minor.

"Detectives believe there are additional, unidentified victims of Matarico who have yet to come forward," the release noted. "A photograph of Matarico is being released to identify and speak with any additional victims."

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The 43-year-old teacher is currently in custody on $1.3 million bail.

Anyone with additional information is urged to contact LAPD's Juvenile Division Abused Child Section at 424-259-7097 and speak with detectives.

Those wishing to remain anonymous can call the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-222-8477 or submit tips online at www.lacrimestoppers.org .