A P.E. high school teacher has been arrested on charges connected to having "sexual conduct" with an underage male student, police and the Fremont Unified School District announced on Thursday.
Corine "Cory" Audiat, 32, who taught at Washington High School since 2012, was placed on unpaid administrative leave and will not return to the school, according to Supt. James Morris. She had taught at American High School and was also a swimming coach at Mission San Jose High School, as well, and had been a district employee since 2008. She was arrested on Thanksgiving Day , after police heard about the teacher and the boy on Nov. 23, police said in a news release.
It was unclear who was representing her in court and no one was home at an address Thursday thought to be her home.
Teacher and student had been "communicating" earlier this year, and "over the course of several months, the conversations became more inappropriate and they eventually engaged in unlawful sexual intercourse," the statement read. On Wednesday, additional charges were filed against Audiat by the Alameda County District Attorney. Records show she was charged with seven counts including having unlawful intercourse and communications with a minor as far back as May.
She is being held at Santa Rita Jail.
The district has been "working closely" with the Fremont Police Department over the past few days to assist with the investigation while causing as little disruption for our students as possible, district spokesman Brian Killgore said.
"This is an unfortunate situation that we are sure has generated anxiety and many questions within our community," Killgore said. "Our students’ safety remains above all our highest priority and any threat to that safety is taken very seriously."
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Washington High School parent Maria Hernandez said the news had made her realize how important it is to tell children to be wary of everyone, especially if teachers are extra friendly.
Anyone with information they feel may be helpful in this matter is urged to contact the Fremont Police Department’s Investigative Unit at 510-790-6900.
