Officers from the Claremont Police Department arrested an instructional aide from Claremont High School for unlawful sex with a minor.

Brandy Wilborn, 38, who is accused of carrying on a sexual relationship with a 16-year old male student from CHS, was arrested in the principal’s office at about 12:30 p.m. on Friday, May 8.

According to Lieutenant Mike Ciszek, police had previously visited the high school on a tip that Ms. Wilborn was involved in an inappropriate relationship with a student.

“Nothing could be proven at that time,” Lt. Ciszek explained. “But additional information came forward that led us to new evidence and the arrest was made.”

According to an email sent out by Principal Brett O’Connor to CHS families, the investigation had gone on for about a month.

District administration cooperated closely with Claremont PD during its four-week investigation culminating in the arrest, Mr. O’Connor wrote.

Lt. Ciszek said that cell phone records were collected by the police department.

Ms. Wilborn worked as an aide in the high school’s special education department, although it is unknown if the student involved was in one of her classes. Her Facebook page lists her occupation as “paraeducator.” She previously worked with younger students in the district, as evidenced by an August 24, 2013 Facebook post where she expressed nervousness about starting work at CHS in the fall.

According to Ms. Wilborn’s Facebook page, she attended CHS from 1990 to 1994 and was hired by CUSD in 2009, the same year as Vanessa Tinoco, the CHS cafeteria worker who also had a sexual relationship with a student. From 2006 to 2011, CUSD went through three superintendents—David Cash from 2006 to July of 2009; Terry Nichols from June 2009 to February 2011; and interim superintendent Gloria Johnston, who left at the end of the 2012 school year. According to CUSD meeting mintues, both Ms. Wilborn and Ms. Tinoco were hired under Mr. Nichols tenure.

Police believe that the sexual activity took place off campus and that no impropriety occurred at CHS. Also, police do not believe there are any additional victims, Lt. Ciszek said.

Mr. O’Connor assured families that inappropriate conduct by adults involving CHS students would not be tolerated.

“The school district immediately placed the employee on unpaid administrative leave pending the outcome of the case and she will not be returning to the school,” Mr. O’Connor wrote. 

Ms. Wilborn posted her $50,000 bail on Friday night. She was scheduled to appear in the Pomona Courts on Tuesday, May 12.

—Kathryn Dunn

editor@claremont-courier.com