Field Trip Chaperone Accused Of Inappropriate Contact With Child

GRANADA HILLS, CA — Authorities were searching Tuesday for any additional victims of a 35-year-old parent accused of having inappropriate contact with a student while working as a chaperone on a Granada Hills middle school field trip.

Hugo Paniagua was arrested after he allegedly contacted a minor during and after the Patrick Henry Middle School field trip on Wednesday, according to Los Angeles police. A school administrator became aware of the incident on Thursday and immediately notified the Los Angeles Police Department's Devonshire Division's Sexual Assault Unit.

Detectives conducted an investigation, which resulted in the arrest of Paniagua on Thursday. He was released the following day after posting $5,000 bail, according to sheriff's inmate records.

Paniagua was booked on suspicion of having inappropriate contact with a minor with the intent to commit a felony, police said. He's scheduled to appear in court in San Fernando on June 28.

Detectives are seeking additional victims and asking parents to make sure their children's contacts with Paniagua were appropriate, police said.

Anyone with information pertaining to possibly inappropriate conduct between Paniagua and a child was asked to contact detectives at (818) 832-0609.

City News Service