A teacher and coach in California was arrested after he was accused of having a sexual relationship with a former student.
The San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office said in a press release that detectives launched an investigation into Paul Farnsworth in early August after the victim reported she was sexually assaulted by him in 2008 when he was her coach.
The sheriff’s office said that the victim claimed she started to have a sexual relationship with Farnsworth, 61, about a year after the assault when she was just 16 years old.
Farnsworth worked as a teacher at El Granada Elementary School and was a cross country and track coach at Half Moon Bay High School at the time of the alleged incidents, according to his LinkedIn page.
He was arrested at his home in Half Moon Bay on August 13, and was booked into the Maguire Correctional Facility in Redwood City. Farnsworth has since been charged with lewd of lascivious acts with a child 14 or 15 years old and sexual penetration by force, fear or duress.
The Cabrillo Unified School District, where Farnsworth was employed, issued a statement about the arrest. The district said they were notified about the investigation on Wednesday, August 12, and they immediately placed Farnsworth on leave.
“We recognize that news of this nature can be deeply concerning, particularly in our close-knit community where students, families, staff, and former students have long standing connections with our schools,” CUSD Superintendent Dr. Ramon Miramontes said in a statement, per CBS News. “CUSD is cooperating fully with law enforcement and will continue to do so as the investigation proceeds. As law enforcement provides additional information, we will continue to keep our community informed as appropriate.”
Miramontes went on to say that the district had made counseling and support resources available to students in order to help process the information. Additionally, students and families can contact the administration or counseling office for additional support in light of the situation.
“We also want to remind our staff and community of the importance of speaking up when there are concerns about a student’s safety or well-being,” Miramontes continued in the statement. “The safety of our students is a shared responsibility, and concerns about student safety should always be taken seriously and reported through the appropriate channels.”
Investigators believe Farnsworth may have had additional victims who have not yet come forward. Authorities asked that people with information relevant to the investigation or who may have been victimized by Farnsworth contact Detective Pitts at 650-363-4060 or npitts@smcgov.org. Meanwhile, those who wish to remain anonymous can submit tips by calling 800-547-2700.
It’s not currently clear if Farnsworth has entered a plea or retained legal counsel following his arrest. The San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to Us’ request for comment regarding the case.
Parents, teachers, and guardians interested in learning more about protecting children from exploitation can find useful tools and information at Know2Protect.
