A 29-year-old after-school coach and aide for disabled elementary school students was arrested this week and charged with lewd acts on a minor under 14-year-old.

The Glendale Police Department began investigating Pedro Antonio Tellez, aka Pedro Antonio Hernandez Llama, on Monday when the parents of two victims reported that their children had been touched inappropriately at John Muir Elementary School, the department said. Both victims identified Tellez as the perpetrator.

Detectives immediately notified Tellez’s employers, the Glendale Unified School District and the City of Glendale, both of which placed him on administrative leave.

Tellez was arrested on Tuesday and held on a $200,000 bond. On Thursday, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón charged him with eight counts of lewd acts on a child under 14, relating to six victims, all boys. Tellez was arraigned that same day and pleaded not guilty.

“Those we entrust with our children should be beacons of support and guidance, providing a safe and nurturing environment where our children can learn and grow,” Gascón said. “It’s heartbreaking and deeply disturbing when someone entrusted with such a role, and especially someone acting as a guardian to such a vulnerable group of children, chooses to violate the sacred trust that exists between educators, students and their families. We will not tolerate such despicable acts within our community.”

The incidents in the charges took place between 2018 and 2023 while Tellez worked at several Glendale elementary schools. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for October 19.

Investigators say there are potentially more victims. The Glendale Police Department asks anyone with information to them at at (818) 548-4840 and ask for an assaults’ detective.

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[Featured image: Pedro Antonio Tellez/Glendale Police Department]