A school aide from California has confessed to engaging in sexual relations with a teenage boy whom he met at a high school in the San Diego area. He’s now facing the possibility of five years in prison and has registered to be a third-party employee.
Lisette Ortega Berez, 32, entered a guilty plea on charges of illicit sexual behavior with a 17-year-old at Marvista High School. NBC 7 San Diego cites the District Attorney’s Office in their report.
The incident came to light when the Sheriff’s Office responded to a call on May 19 regarding the aide having relations with a minor male student. A student assistance aide reported these interactions, prompting police intervention.
During their investigation, it was revealed that Ortega had been involved with minors off-campus for about a year, which raised serious concerns regarding his conduct.
Furthermore, detectives alleged that Ortega attempted to dissuade students from discussing the sexual assault—details were uncovered by NBC 7.
Ortega was working as a contracted student support aide through Ro Health, a third-party provider known for staffing educational institutions and healthcare facilities with qualified professionals.
He was arrested on May 21 and faced multiple charges tied to his relationship with a minor. Specifically, he was charged with engaging in oral sex with a victim under 18, among other offenses related to illegal activities with minors.
Sentencing for Ortega is set to occur in the South County Courthouse in Chula Vista on October 29. Reports suggest he could be sentenced to up to five years in state prison.
Interestingly, the plea agreement does not specify a certain sentence, leaving the judge to determine Ortega’s fate at the hearing.
In response to the situation, RO Health has stated that it upholds strict employment standards, assuring that thorough background checks are conducted for their staff members.
They emphasized, “At RO Health, safety is our top priority. We are committed to providing the best possible care to a medically vulnerable population, taking these allegations very seriously. We thoroughly investigate all issues to ensure appropriate responses.”
The company also expressed that student safety is paramount in their mission, mentioning their employee screening process approved by a joint committee.
