Calif. biology teacher accused of molesting 7 students and sharing sexually explicit photos
04/13/2022 1:38 pm PDT
RICHMOND, Calif. (TCD) -- A 35-year-old biology teacher was arrested after allegedly molesting multiple children.
According to a press release from the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office, Anessa Paige Gower, a former biology teacher at Making Waves Academy, engaged in sex acts with minors between 2021 and 2022. The case reportedly involves seven minors whose identities are being withheld.
According to the District Attorney’s Office, investigators interviewed victims and witnesses regarding Gower’s participation in sex acts with minors, inappropriate touching, and sharing sexually explicit photos online.
On April 6, Gower was reportedly arrested at Sacramento International Airport as she was returning to California from Hawaii. According to the District Attorney’s Office, Gower remains held in custody in Richmond and faces 29 counts of child molestation.
In a statement to KRON-TV, Making Waves Academy chief executive officer Alton Nelson said, "During the course of an investigation into allegations that one of our teachers violated school policy, we learned of additional highly concerning allegations involving that teacher’s conduct. We immediately shared that information with authorities who are reviewing the matter."
Nelson added, "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. There is nothing more important than the health, safety and well-being of our students."
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