SGV Catholic Girls School Teacher Accused of Molestation

ALHAMBRA (CNS) - A 42-year-old teacher at an all-girls school in Alhambra was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of having a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old student.

Diana Yniguez, who has also gone by the last name Wendel, was arrested by detectives about 2:30 p.m., according to Alhambra police Sgt. Steven Carr.

"Yniguez met the student through her employment as a high school teacher at Ramona Convent Secondary School in Alhambra," Carr said. "The victim was a student of Yniguez's during the 2015/2016 school year."

On Tuesday, a relative found sexually graphic text messages on the victim's cell phone and told the girl's father, according to Carr.

"The victim's father in turn contacted the Alhambra Police Department and turned over the cell phone," he said. "The investigation revealed that Yniguez had sent the text messages and had been involved in unlawful sexual contact with the minor."

The alleged relationship occurred between March and May, "with the activity taking place on campus and in the suspect's personal vehicle," Carr said.

Yniguez has been a teacher at a number of parochial schools in the Los Angeles Archdiocese for the past 18 years, the last three at Ramona Convent, which has placed her on leave pending the outcome of the investigation, the sergeant said.

Investigators are concerned there may be other alleged victims and asked anyone who knows of possibly unlawful or inappropriate behavior on Yniguez's part to call the Alhambra police Detective Bureau Tip Line at (626) 308-4875.

City News Service; Photo: Google Maps