Police tape
San Diego, California – Authorities have arrested a 31-year-old woman in San Diego County after she allegedly carried out a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old student at Mar Vista High School in Imperial Beach, authorities said Wednesday.
Lisette Ortega Veles, a contracted student support aide assigned to Mar Vista through the staffing agency Ro Health, was taken into custody off campus on May 21. Her arrest followed an investigation launched two days earlier when school officials contacted patrol deputies with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department regarding disturbing allegations.
Detectives from the Sheriff’s Sexual Assault Unit (SAU) responded and conducted an investigation that led to probable cause for multiple charges, including unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor more than three years younger, oral copulation with a minor, arranging to meet a minor for lewd acts, and attempting to dissuade the victim from cooperating with law enforcement.
Authorities say the alleged incidents took place off campus within the last year. Ortega is currently being held at the Las Colinas Detention and Reentry Facility in Santee on $250,000 bail. She is expected to appear in court in Chula Vista on Friday.
In a statement, Ro Health CEO Jeff Widmyer said, “We take these allegations extremely seriously. We are doing everything we can to investigate the issue and respond appropriately. Student safety is paramount to our mission.” He emphasized that Ro Health’s employee screening process includes Department of Justice and FBI fingerprint clearance.
The Sweetwater Union High School District confirmed it is cooperating fully with law enforcement and acknowledged the investigation involving a contracted vendor.
Ortega is not a direct employee of Mar Vista High but was placed at the school by Ro Health as part of its educational support services. How long she worked at the campus before the allegations surfaced remains unclear.
Authorities have urged anyone with additional information to contact the Sheriff’s Sexual Assault Unit at (858) 285-6112 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477 for anonymous tips.
