News Summary
Lisette Veles Ortega, a former campus aide at Mar Vista High School, has pleaded guilty to multiple sex crimes involving a minor. After being arrested in May 2023 for engaging in sexual acts with a 17-year-old student, Ortega confirmed her plea to charges of unlawful sexual intercourse and oral copulation with a minor. The San Diego County District Attorney’s Office will conduct sentencing next month, raising community concerns regarding safety protocols in schools.
Chula Vista – Lisette Veles Ortega, a 32-year-old former campus aide at Mar Vista High School, has pleaded guilty to multiple sex crimes involving a minor. Ortega was arrested in May 2023 after allegations surfaced that she engaged in sex acts with a 17-year-old male student. The San Diego County District Attorney’s Office confirmed her guilty plea to charges of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor and oral copulation with a minor, which was submitted on Thursday. Ortega’s plea did not involve a stipulated sentence and she is scheduled for sentencing next month at the South County courthouse in Chula Vista.
Investigators began looking into the allegations after school officials reported them on May 19. Detectives conducted an inquiry and found probable cause that Ortega had engaged in sexual acts with the minor, which reportedly occurred off-campus over the previous year. She was subsequently arrested off-campus within San Diego County.
Ortega, who was employed at Mar Vista High through Ro Healthcare—a medical staffing and home health agency—had her employment with the company come under scrutiny following her arrest. Ro Health prioritizes the safety of students and takes allegations of this nature seriously. According to the company’s CEO, Ro Healthcare follows a Joint Commission-approved employee screening process, which includes comprehensive background checks and fingerprint clearance conducted by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
The San Diego County Sheriff’s Office has urged anyone with information related to the incidents to reach out to the Sexual Assault Unit or Crime Stoppers as they continue their investigation. Meanwhile, school officials have stated they are cooperating with law enforcement and are dedicated to supporting their community through this troubling situation.
The case has raised significant concern among parents and community members at Mar Vista High School, highlighting the potential risks associated with staff members who have access to students. The legal proceedings against Ortega will undoubtedly continue to attract attention as the community seeks to comprehend the implications of her actions and ensure the safety and well-being of its students.
The case underscores the importance of thorough background checks and proper oversight in schools to prevent similar incidents in the future. As the legal process unfolds, both the community and the legal system will seek to address the broader implications of these troubling events.
As Ortega awaits sentencing, the focus remains on ensuring justice for the victim and the community affected by these grave allegations. The outcome of the sentencing is anticipated to play a crucial role in determining the community’s response and the measures that may be implemented to enhance safety protocols in schools across the region.
While the specifics of Ortega’s actions are under legal review, the case has already sparked discussions about the vulnerabilities of minors within educational institutions and the responsibilities of adults who work with them. Stakeholders from various sectors continue to emphasize the need for vigilance and preventative measures to guard against future incidents.
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Additional Resources
- NBC San Diego
- Wikipedia: Child Sexual Abuse
- CBS 8
- Google Search: Sex Crimes in Schools
- San Diego Union-Tribune
- Google Scholar: School Staff Sexual Abuse
- Fox 5 San Diego
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Sexual Assault
- Times of San Diego
- Google News: Teacher Sex Crimes
Author: STAFF HERE SAN DIEGO WRITER
SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER The SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanDiego.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Diego, San Diego County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Comic-Con International, San Diego County Fair, and San Diego Pride Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Diego County, plus leading businesses in biotechnology, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Qualcomm, Illumina, and Scripps Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
