Music teacher arrested for inappropriately touching several students: San Jose Police

SAN JOSE, Calif. - San Jose police said a music teacher has been arrested and charged by prosecutors with inappropriately touching as many as 10 girls.

Israel Santiago, 43, of Morgan Hill was taken into custody Monday for sexually assaulting multiple minors, according to the San Jose Police Department. There are at least 10 students who have been identified as victims, officials said, and they fear there are more. 

Police said they were called to the Adelante 1 Dual Language Academy on Nov. 7 on reports that Santiago was having inappropriate contact with several students on campus. Investigators interviewed several students who said he touched them inappropriately in the school’s music and band room. 

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An arrest warrant was issued for Santiago by the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office for multiple counts of sexual assault and annoying or molesting a child under the age of 12.

Santiago was booked into the Santa Clara County Main Jail. 

Sgt. Christian Camarillo said Alum Rock Union School District officials first notified social services instead of police, which contributed to a delay.

Alum Rock Superintendent Hilaria Bauer, asked by KTVU about any delay, said the district did contact police. "They wouldn't have known otherwise," Bauer wrote in an email.

Andres Quintero, Alum Rock school board president - and an Adelante 1 parent whose children have been taught by Santiago, said, "I've demanded an in-depth investigation by the administration into everything that's taken place."

Anyone with information about the assaults is asked to call SJPD at (408) 537-1381.