A special education teacher in the Los Angeles area is facing serious allegations of raping a 13-year-old student in her car, having left her husband for the teen, whom she reportedly called her “crystal meth,” as stated by prosecutors.
Colleen Jo Matarico, a 43-year-old grandmother, entered a not guilty plea on Tuesday to five felony charges related to lewd acts involving a child under 14, two felony charges concerning lewd acts with a child aged 14 or 15, and one felony charge for providing a controlled substance to a minor.
Prosecutors claimed that she had been involved in a sexual relationship with the male student for more than a year, even leaving her husband due to her feelings for him.
During the online exchanges, she referred to the teenager as “her ‘crystal meth’” and stated he was “the only person she would go to jail for,” Deputy District Attorney Ariel Anson shared at Tuesday’s hearing.
The mother of two persisted in her pursuit of a young boy despite pleas from several family members for her to cease. According to the prosecutor, the boy expressed feelings of concern and fear regarding her jealousy.
Matarico, a teacher at John Burroughs Middle School, began abusing the boy when he was 13, as stated by Anson in court. The criminal complaint states that much of the reported sexual abuse occurred from August to November. She faces allegations of providing the boy with marijuana.
Recently, it was reported that Matarico, upon learning of the investigation, drove to the high school where the boy currently attends and waited for him in her car, where she is accused of assaulting him, as stated by Anson.
The teacher reached out to one of the boy’s friends on Instagram to maintain communication, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Matarico reportedly admitted in those messages to leaving her husband for the teenager, describing him as “her ‘crystal meth,’” Anson stated on Tuesday.
The public defender for the teacher, Carlos Bido, advocated for her release on house arrest with electronic monitoring, citing her lack of a criminal record and her responsibilities as a caregiver for two children, aged 11 and 15, along with her grandchildren.
LA County Superior Court Judge Susan J. De Witt has denied the release of the teacher.
A protective order has been issued by the judge, preventing Matarico from contacting the victim or approaching his school or residence.
Matarico is scheduled to return to court later this month.