San Diego ‘Teacher Of The Year’ Arrested Twice In 2 Days For Alleged Sexual Abuse Of 13-Year-Old Student: Cops

A 2022 “Teacher of the Year” recipient in California was arrested twice for allegedly sexually abusing a 13-year-old former student, officials said.

According to the National City Police Department, a parent reported concerns on March 6 that their child was having a relationship with his former teacher.

An investigation was opened and on March 7, investigators had enough probable cause to arrest 34-year-old Jacqueline Ma, who teaches at Lincoln Acres Elementary School in National City, police said.

Ma posted bail on March 7, according to KSBW-TV, but detectives “developed probable cause to re-arrest Jacqueline Ma on additional felony charges” on March 9, police said.

Ma was initially charged with six felony counts, including lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14 and oral copulation, according to police.

She was booked into Las Colinas Detention Facility on March 8 and charged with an additional 14 counts, including two lewd and lascivious acts with a minor, seven counts of possession of child pornography, four counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, and one count of prevention and dissuading of a witness, officials said.

Ma, who has been with the National School District since 2013, was named one of five winners of the San Diego County’s Teacher of the Year Award in August 2022. However, she is no longer listed on the website with the four other recipients.

National School District Superintendent Leighangela Brady told KPBS-TV they were “stunned” by the news and they are “unaware of any other victims.”

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Brady added, "The district will cooperate with law enforcement and cannot comment any further on the pending investigation. We will continue to do everything possible to keep our students’ safety, needs, and education first and foremost."

Ma, who is listed in medical isolation for the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department jail logs, was originally due back in court on March 14 for the initial charges. However, her arraignment is now scheduled for March 13, officials said.