San Diego 'Teacher of the Year' accused of having 'inappropriate relationship' with student

NATIONAL CITY, Calif. (TCD) -- A San Diego-area woman was arrested twice this week for allegedly having an "inappropriate relationship" with a 13-year-old former student.

On March 6, a parent reportedly contacted the National City Police Department over concerns that their child was having a relationship with the student’s former teacher. Detectives and school resource officers began investigating, and the next day, March 7, they developed enough probable cause to arrest 34-year-old Jacqueline Ma.

Ma teaches at Lincoln Acres Elementary School.

According to KSWB-TV, Ma posted bail Tuesday night, but she was arrested again Thursday, March 9.

San Diego County Jail records show she is being held on 14 charges, including two counts lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14, four counts of sexual exploitation of a child, and more. She’s being held without bail.

KPBS-TV reports National School District Superintendent Leighangela Brady penned a statement following Ma’s arrest saying they were "unaware of any other victims," and that they were "stunned" by the news.

Brady wrote, "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 was one of five winners of the San Diego County’s Teacher of the Year Award in August, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune, though she is no longer listed on the website naming the other four educators. Ma has been with the National School District since 2013.

MORE:

• Lewd and Lascivious Acts Investigation - National City Police Department
• 'Teacher of the Year' re-arrested - KSWB
• San Diego County Jail inmate information
• Teacher arrested for inappropriate relationship with 13-year-old student - KPBS
• San Diego County’s Teachers of the Year chosen, 8/27/2022 - San Diego Union-Tribune