Teen and his California middle school teacher had sex, exchanged explicit photos, police say
A Northern California middle school teacher was arrested Monday on suspicion of having sex with one of her former students and having explicit photographs of the teen, according to a news release.
The investigation started after parents shared rumors about students having inappropriate photographs of a Gridley Unified School District employee Michelle Solis, police said. Solis is known to be a teacher at Sycamore Middle School in the small Butte County town — population 7,200 — between Chico and Yuba City.
“An evolving investigation with GPD officers, along with investigators from the Butte County District Attorney’s Office produced evidence ... (of) more than just explicit photographs of a GUSD teacher were being circulated among students and the community,” the news release posted on social media said.
Solis, who has taught for more than 20 years, is accused of having sex with a former student, a boy, who is now in high school. Police added the teen possessed explicit photographs of the teacher.
Solis was arrested at her residence Monday morning and faces a charge of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor under the age of 16. It wasn’t clear who was representing the teacher, who still appears in the school’s staff directory.
Gridley Unified School District, which serves about 2,000 students across five schools, wrote in a statement that Solis has been on administrative leave since October, when police were first notified of the allegations.
Superintendent Justin Kern said in a statement that he’s shattered to have to address a situation like this — the allegations undermine and erode confidence in schools and employees. Still, the safety of children is the district’s primary concern and “appropriate measures” will be taken to ensure this priority is addressed, he said.
“While we refrain from making premature judgments about the actions of the staff member facing prosecution, it is crucial to reiterate the district’s stance against any inappropriate contact between a district employee and a student,” Kern said.
Kern added he recognized that this arrest may have consequences that extend beyond those directly involved. He also requested residents to stop engaging in rumors or conducting unofficial judicial proceedings on social media because it’s counterproductive and disrespectful.
“Such behavior only exacerbates the trauma and stress experienced by those affected and can have a negative impact on our educational community beyond the scope of the investigation,” Kern wrote.
Investigators urged other possible victims to come forward if they have any information. Additional charges may be considered by prosecutors if more evidence is uncovered, police said.
Police asked residents to contact the Gridley Police Department School Resource Officer Ashley Carson or Officer Emma Warren at 530-846-5670.
“We as a community need to work in unity for justice in this matter,” police wrote.
