A former San Antonio High School teacher suspected of having an ongoing relationship with a student was arraigned on June 22 and entered a plea of not guilty to child molesting.

Eva Fernandez—also known as Ms. Ambriz to her students—was taken into custody and booked at Claremont jail on April 20, 2015 and later released on $20,000 bond. The misdemeanor count of child molesting was filed by the Los Angeles County District Attorney on May 27, 2015.

Police began collecting evidence and witness statements after a school administrator alerted police of a possible relationship between the 27-year-old El Monte resident and the student. Neither the alleged 17-year-old male victim nor the first-year science teacher were forthcoming with information.

Following her arrest, Ms. Ambriz was placed on paid administrative leave by CUSD. Working under a probationary period, the school board elected not to bring her back and she was dismissed from her position.

Ms. Fernandez is scheduled to appear in Pomona court for a pretrial hearing on September 15.

—Angela Bailey

news@claremont-courier.com