According to officials, a California biology teacher allegedly molested seven students before posting graphic images of the abuse online.
Anessa Paige Gower, 35, was charged with 29 counts of child abuse while working at Richmond’s Making Waves Academy, according to the Costa District Attorney’s Office.
The victims and witnesses told investigators that se**xting, unwanted touching, and sharing se**xual images with children were all part of the abuse that began last year.
Authorities have not revealed the victims’ ages or genders, despite the fact that the charter school serves students in grades 5 through 12.
On Wednesday, Gower was detained at Sacramento International Airport after returning from a trip to Hawaii.
She has been charged with child molestation in Richmond, where she is currently being held.
According to Making Waves Academy CEO Alton B. Nelson Jr., Gower was fired as soon as the charges were made public.
“We learned of additional highly concerning allegations involving that teacher’s conduct during the course of an investigation into allegations that one of our teachers violated school policy,” Nelson said in a statement obtained by KRON4.
We immediately shared that information with authorities who are reviewing the matter. That teacher is no longer employed by Making Waves Academy and we have reached out to parents, students and faculty to provide support where it might be needed.
harresment