Teacher of the year arrested for sexual relations with a minor

OAN Roy Francis
UPDATED 12:00 PM – Saturday, March 11, 2023

California teacher, who was named among the five 2022-2023 San Diego County teachers’ of the year, was arrested on suspicion of sexual abuse of a former student aged 13.

Jacqueline Ma, a teacher in sixth grade at Lincoln Acres Elementary school aged 34, was taken into police custody on Tuesday morning. According to the National City Police Department they were contacted by a “concerned parent who suspected that her 13-year-old child was possibly having an inappropriate relationship with a former teacher.”

Schools resource officers and authorities had “immediately” The allegations were investigated. Police claimed that they had “developed probable cause to arrest” The teacher is 34 years old.

Ma had previously posted bail, but she was again arrested Thursday on 14 new charges. According to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department these charges included two lewd or lascivious actions with a child, seven counts each of possession of child pornography and four counts of sexual exploit of a child.

Leighangela Brady, Superintendent of National School District, assured members of the board that the school was fully cooperating with law enforcement. They will ensure that schools continue to operate as normal, she added. “run smoothly.”

“We are committed to cooperating with our law enforcement,” Brady stated. “We do remain cognizant that we cannot comment on the pending investigation, so will continue to work to make sure that our schools run smoothly.”

Ma had accepted the Teacher Of The Year award in August. She thanked her students and husband. KUSI News had previously interviewed Ma about the award, stating that it was. “surreal” She was “chosen to represent all the amazing educators in San Diego.”

The 34-yearold will be back in court on Wednesday, March 13^Th.