LAPD arrests former Mira Costa teacher for sexual abuse

By Kayla Samimi

News Editor

By Parnia Mazhar

Opinion Editor

Former Mira Costa Science teacher Michelle Yeh was arrested by the Los Angeles Police Department on July 17 for sexual abuse of two male victims. She appeared in court on Aug 12 where she pleaded not guilty to the Long Beach Superior Court’s charges.

Up until her arrest, 28-year-old Yeh was a permanent substitute at the San Pedro High School Science Department. District Attorney Bob Hight charged Yeh with four counts of sexual intercourse with an underaged victim, two counts of oral copulation and two counts of lewd act on a 15 year old child.

From Jan 27 to Feb 18, 2014, Costa hired Yeh as a permanent teacher, but the school eventually let her go. 

“Yeh did not work out as a Costa teacher so we parted ways with her after about one month,” Mira Costa principal Ben Dale said.                                                              

According to the District Attorney’s News Release, Yeh was sent on a $250,000 bail and will appear at the Long Beach Superior Court on Sept 10 for her preliminary hearing. If convicted, she could face a possible nine years, eight months in state prison.

“It is unfortunate for the Los Angeles Unified School District that this event occurred, but I’m sure they are doing everything they can to cooperate with the authorities,” Manhattan Beach Unified School District Head of Human Resources Carolyn Seaton said.