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Teacher At Brentwood School Arrested For Unlawful Sex With Underage Student
A high school teacher at the elite Brentwood School was arrested Friday for allegedly having unlawful sex with a 16-year-old student. The teacher, 45-year-old Amy Palmitessa, is a biology teacher with a PhD in molecular biology and biochemistry, according to the L.A. Times. She has been released on a $230,000 bail, and the school has placed her on administrative leave.
Brentwood School head Dr. Mike Riera told the school of the incident via a written statement on Saturday:
We were shocked and distressed to receive the news of these allegations. As always, our primary concern is the safety, health, and well-being of our students. To that end, we will do everything we can to cooperate with the official police investigation.
Based on his statement, as quoted in the Hollywood Reporter, LAPD did not share the nature of the relationship nor the identity of the alleged victim. Dr. Riera urged students and parents to avoid posting any photos of Brentwood School students in discussion of the alleged crime in order to maintain the privacy and safety of other students.
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Palmitessa is scheduled for arraignment next month, according to CBS. Brentwood School administrators could not be reached for comment.
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