Student, 15, Is Held in Attacks on 2 Teachers

A 15-year-old student has been arrested in after-school attacks on two teachers in their Antelope Valley High School classrooms, authorities said Monday.

The first incident occurred March 24 after the 6-foot, 175-pound youth entered a classroom, asked to use the telephone and then attacked the teacher, said Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Sgt. Greg McHenry.

“He was pretty methodical,” McHenry said. “He engaged in small talk before he grabbed her physically from behind, fondled her and attempted to strangle and suffocate her. She was able to talk him away.”

The teacher did not report the attack because she feared news reports would imply she had a sexual relationship with the student, McHenry said. The boy told her he was sexually attracted to her, she told investigators.

Three days later, the teenager allegedly attacked another teacher, hitting her on the head with a book, sitting over her fallen body and choking her, said Sheriff’s Department Lt. Terry Lewis.

A janitor intervened after hearing her screams. A civilian security officer detained the boy until his arrest. He has been held at Sylmar Juvenile Hall since March 27, but no charges have been filed.

Authorities expect to file attempted murder and attempted sexual assault charges this week, said sheriff’s Sgt. Daniel Belland.