La Mirada : Teacher Pleads Guilty to Molesting Former Student
A La Mirada schoolteacher pleaded guilty last week to charges that he had oral sex with and fondled a 13-year-old girl who was a former student.
Michael Lee Beecher, 46, of Corona faces up to 24 years in prison after he entered a guilty plea to nine counts of child molestation, Deputy Dist. Atty. Hilda Weintraub said. Beecher remains free on bail until his sentencing Dec. 8.
Beecher was accused of having sex with the girl in his classroom at Foster Road Elementary School between July and December of last year. Weintraub said the girl visited Beecher’s classroom after his classes ended, and Beecher would fondle her behind closed doors.
The girl, now 14, was attending another school at the time the incidents took place, but divulged the molestation to a friend. The friend later told the school principal, who reported Beecher to police, Weintraub said.
Neither Beecher nor his attorney were available for comment.
Norwalk-La Mirada school officials said Beecher was placed on leave from his teaching job after he was arrested March 18, and he resigned soon afterward.
Beecher taught sixth- and seventh-graders at Nottingham and Foster Road elementary schools during his seven years with the district.
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