Peninsula Teacher Accused of Sexual Relationship With Young Girl Posts Bail

SAN BRUNO, CA — A Millbrae middle school teacher arrested this week on suspicion of inappropriate contact with a minor is out on bail, San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe says.

Heather Amanda Butts, a 40-year-old teacher at Taylor Middle School, posted $85,000 bail and was released from custody.

Butts was arrested after San Bruno police received a report Monday of a woman engaged in inappropriate conduct with a juvenile female in a parked car on Santa Helena Avenue.

"A subsequent investigation revealed that an inappropriate relationship had been occurring between Butts, a Taylor Middle School teacher in Millbrae, and the juvenile victim," San Bruno police said in a statement.

Police didn't release many details on the alleged relationship, or say if the victim was a student of Butts. The San Francisco Chronicle reports the girl is 15-years-old.

Butts' first court appearance will be on Sept. 19 at 8:30 a.m. in the San Mateo County Superior Court in Redwood City.

Millbrae School District has placed Butts on administrative leave pending further investigation, Superintendent Vahn Phayprasert said.

"The District has policies and procedures in place to ensure the school operates in a safe environment, and we are constantly looking for ways to enhance those policies and procedures," Phayprasert said in a statement.

"The safety of our students is the highest priority."

— Bay City News Service contributed to this report.