Her lawyer says Simi Valley, CA teacher has mental illness

Malia Brooks, Calif. elementary school teacher, had sexual relationship with student under 14, police say
By Crimesider Staff
CBS News
June 13, 2013 (CBS) SIMI VALLEY, Calif. - Malia Brooks, a 32-year-old elementary school teacher in Simi Valley, Calif., is accused of having a sexual relationship with a student under the age of 14, police say, according to CBS Los Angeles.

Brooks, who is being held on $2 million bail, pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges of lewd acts upon a child, oral copulation of a person under 14 years of age and three counts of genital penetration by a foreign object, the station reports.

It is unclear exactly how old the male student is.

The sixth grade teacher at Garden Grove Elementary School reportedly turned herself into authorities Tuesday.

Allegations of an inappropriate relationship between Brooks and a male student first surfaced on Feb. 22, police reportedly said. Officials allege the relationship took place over a four-month period beginning in late 2012.

At the time, letters were reportedly sent home to parents alerting them that a police investigation was underway. Brooks was not identified at the time because charges had not been filed.

Brooks, who was initially put on leave while the investigation took place, resigned from the district on June 5. She had been employed with the Simi Valley Unified School District since 2004.

Brooks' attorney, Ron Bamieh, says his client suffers from a mental illness, the station reports.

Although there are reportedly no indications that Brooks had any other victims, police are asking anyone with information regarding the allegations to contact the Detective Unit at (805) 583-6248.