Former Teacher's Aide Pleads Not Guilty to Sex Charges With Student

A former teacher's aide accused of having a sexual relationship with a teenage student and giving birth to his child pleaded not guilty Wednesday to a sex-related count.

Mandy Morales, 31, is charged with one felony count of unlawful sexual intercourse.

The boy was 16 when the relationship began in 2011, and was 17 when the child was born, Los Angeles County sheriff's Sgt. Peter Hahn said shortly after Morales' arrest in July.

Morales was an aide at the Canyon View School at the McKinley Children's Center in San Dimas.

"The case originated at the school after a journal belonging to Ms. Morales was found," Hahn said. "(It) detailed an ongoing sexual relationship with a student, (the) victim. This relationship resulted in Ms. Morales having a child who was fathered by the victim."

In a statement released by the McKinley Children's Center, Chief Executive Officer Al Mason said school officials were cooperating with law enforcement and that Morales was no longer an employee at Canyon View.

"The protection, privacy care, and safety of the children we serve is our highest priority, and we shall continue our cooperation with law enforcement authorities," he said.

According to the school's website, its "programs are designed to address the disability needs of the students and to challenge them at the same time."

Morales, who was released on bail shortly after her arrest July 10, is due back in Pomona Superior Court on Oct. 29.

- City News Service