Schoolteacher Accused of Molesting Boy

A schoolteacher accused of sexually molesting a 13-year-old boy after telling him he would otherwise fail her class has been charged with four counts of lewd acts with a child.

Lorraine Abbott, 37, who was teaching at West Simi Church and Christian School when the alleged incidents took place, is accused of having sexual intercourse with the boy on four occasions between September and December, 1985, said Ventura County Deputy District Atty. Charles W. Campbell Jr.

According to Campbell, Abbott threatened to flunk the boy unless he had sexual intercourse with her. Two of the incidents occurred in her Santa Rosa Valley home near Camarillo, and the other two occurred at his Moorpark home, Campbell said. Both have since moved, he said, adding that Abbott now lives in Simi Valley.

The boy waited until January of this year to report the incidents to his mother because Abbott told him not to tell anyone, Campbell said. The mother went to Simi Valley police in February, he said.

Abbott surrendered March 11 and pleaded not guilty to the charges at her arraignment March 20, Campbell said. Her preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 2, Campbell said.

Abbott could face up to 14 years in prison if convicted of the charges, Campbell said. The charges include a special allegation that the incidents occurred under duress, which would automatically make Abbott ineligible for probation, Campbell said.

Abbott was fired from the private school for unrelated reasons and has since worked as a substitute teacher for various school districts, Campbell said.

Abbott’s attorney, Jay Johnson Jr., said the youth’s story “didn’t make sense.”

“The teen-ager waited over a year before he told anyone about the alleged abuse and he only spoke out when a 17-year-old girl accused him of being the father of her baby,” Johnson said.