Science Teacher Is Accused of Molesting, Harassing 5 Students

A science teacher at Sunny Hills High School was charged Tuesday with sexual molestation and harassment of five female students at the school, authorities said.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Jo Escobar said the charges were filed against George Melvin Fairchild, 52, of Placentia, who also is an assistant boys basketball coach at Sunny Hills. Fairchild formerly was head basketball coach at La Habra High School. Both schools are in the Fullerton Joint Union High School District.

Escobar said eight felony counts against Fairchild, a teacher for 28 years, stem from an allegation that he engaged in lewd acts with a 15-year-old girl. Seven misdemeanor counts involving four other girls also were filed, Escobar said.

An arrest warrant has been issued for Fairchild, who is vacationing in the Caribbean and is expected to return to Orange County next week, said Lt. Jeff Roop of the Fullerton Police Department.

Fairchild hired an attorney after he was made aware of the police investigation, Roop said, but he has not yet been interviewed by police.

Roop said the investigation began in May after a former student complained to police that she was molested by Fairchild in September, 1992, and eventually sought psychological counseling as a result.

“She came in and told us what happened,” Roop said. “It was over a period of time. These aren’t forcible things . . . more of an improper taking advantage.”

The other charges involve “groping and touching” or using “sexually explicit language” with students, Roop said.

Gregory Bice, acting superintendent for the Fullerton school district, said Fairchild will be placed on unpaid leave pending the outcome of the investigation.

Escobar said that the district attorney’s office does not consider Fairchild a flight risk and that he will be arraigned when he returns.