School employee, 32, in ‘dating relationship’ with student arrested in Orange County

LOS ANGELES (KTLA) – A 32-year-old elementary school employee in Orange County is facing charges of sexual assault after reportedly carrying on a “dating relationship” with a 16-year-old female high school student, authorities announced Tuesday.  

On Feb. 4, officers with the Santa Ana Police Department responded to the area of Westwood Avenue and Riveria Drive around 7:30 a.m. after receiving reports of possible sexual activity occurring inside a parked vehicle.  

“Upon arrival, officers located the vehicle in question, which was occupied by a male and a female in the backseat,” SAPD said in a news release posted to social media.  

Investigators learned that the 16-year-old girl was a student at Foothill High School and that the suspect, now identified as Mariano Hernandez, was a behavior interventionist at Benson Elementary. The two schools are within the Tustin Unified School District.  

“Both the victim and Hernandez admitted to meeting at Foothill High School and being in a dating relationship for a few weeks,” police said.  

Officers arrested the 32-year-old and booked him on various sexual assault-related charges at the Santa Ana Jail.  

Due to the nature of the crimes, detectives believe there may be additional victims of Hernandez have released his photo in hopes that anyone with additional information about this investigation or who may have been victimized will reach out to authorities.  

Anyone with information is urged to contact Det. M. Tapia at 714-245-8379 or by email at mtapia@santa-ana.org. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call the Orange County Crime Stoppers Hotline at 855-TIP-OCCS.