Fullerton teacher suspected of sexual misconduct with students
Melissa Lindgren, 28, of La Mirada was arrested Friday and charged with several felony counts, including child molestation and child annoyance, officials said. Erin Myers reports from La Mirada for the KTLA 5 Morning News on Feb. 23, 2014.
By Matt Stevens
February 22, 2014, 7:48 p.m.
A Fullerton middle school teacher was arrested Friday on suspicion of sexual misconduct with at least two male students, authorities and school district officials said.
Melissa Lindgren, 28, of La Mirada, was charged with multiple felonies, including child molestation, child annoyance and “dissemination of harmful matter to a minor,” Fullerton police said in a statement. The Nicolas Junior High School teacher was booked and released after posting $100,000 bail, the statement said.
School officials were alerted to the possible misconduct Friday by two “brave” students, according to a district statement. Fullerton Police Chief Dan Hughes said Lindgren was arrested within five hours of the school district discovering the allegations.
In its statement, Fullerton School District officials said Lindgren admitted her misconduct, and called the situation an “isolated incident.”
“This occurrence is in direct conflict of Fullerton School District zero-tolerance policy on staff misconduct, where the District's teachers, faculty and staff are held to a higher standard,” the statement said.
Lindgren has been placed on administrative leave by the district. A parent meeting has been scheduled for Monday evening at the school, the district’s statement said.
