A California “teacher of the year” is accused of having sex with a teenage student, and police say there could be more than one victim, KTLA-TV reports.
On Thursday, 38-year-old Tracy Vanderhulst was charged with unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor as part of an investigation into allegations that she had an improper relationship with a 16-year-old male student at Yucaipa High School, about 60 miles east of Los Angeles.
Authorities have not released many details about the allegations, including how many times the teacher allegedly had sex with the student and where it occurred.
Vanderhulst, who taught math at the school, was arrested late Thursday and booked into jail in San Bernardino. She posted $30,000 bail and was released Friday afternoon, the San Bernardino Sun reports.
“Investigators and the Yucaipa Calimesa Joint Unified School District worked cooperatively to ensure a thorough investigation into this matter was completed,” the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department said.
In 2017, Vanderhulst was named the “teacher of the year” at the school, according to the Yucaipa/Calimesa News Mirror.
At the time, the principal wrote that she “epitomizes the educator so many desire to be- she is the kind and innovative teacher from whom we hope our children will grow; the educator who strives to engage all of her students from her intervention classes to her honors classes,” the newspaper reports.
Police said they believe there may be more victims and urged anyone with additional information to come forward, according to ABC7. To report information about the case, call the Specialized Investigations Division at 909-890-4904.
To provide an anonymous tip, call the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463).
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[Feature Photo: Tracy Vanderhulst/Yucaipa High School]
