Full Notification

On Feb 22, 2013, the Simi Valley Unified School District made the Simi Valley Police Department aware of an incident described as “inappropriate conduct” that occurred between a teacher and student. The incident was reported to the Simi Valley Police Department’s Detective Unit and an investigation was initiated. That investigation revealed that 32 year old Malia Brooks, DOB: 12/21/1980, a sixth grade teacher at Garden Grove Elementary School, became involved in a sexual relationship with a male student under 14 years of age.

On June 11, 2013, the Superior Court of Ventura County issued an arrest warrant for Malia Brooks for the following charges:
(1 count) of 288(a) PC
Lewd Act upon a Child
(1 count) of 288a(c)(1) PC
Oral Copulation of a person under 14 years of age
(3 counts) of 289(j) PC:
Genital Penetration by a foreign object with a person under 14 years of age when the suspect is more than 10 years older than the victim

Simi Valley Police Department Detectives negotiated with Brooks and she surrendered to authorities at the Simi Valley Police Station at 4:00 p.m. on June 11, 2013. Brooks was booked at the Ventura County Jail. The bail was set at $2,000,000. Brooks is scheduled for arraignment at the Ventura County Superior Court today, June 12, 2013, at 9:00 am.

During the course of this investigation, there have been no indications that Malia Brooks had other victims. However, the Simi Valley Police Department is asking anyone with information to call the Detective Unit at (805) 583-6248.

Detective Unit Lieutenant Joseph May stated, “If there is anything positive that can come from this investigation, it is that parents and families should take every opportunity to maintain positive and open communication with their children for several reasons:
• To maintain and develop the trust to share anything with their parents
• To proactively teach their children about what is appropriate and inappropriate conduct, in any environment, when dealing with adults.”
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Simi Valley Unified School District Statement
June 12, 2013

On June 11, 2013, the Simi Valley the Simi Valley Police Department arrested Malia Brooks due to an inappropriate relationship with a minor student. Malia Brooks (DOB 12-21-80) has been employed by the Simi Valley Unified School District since September, 2004. All of her teaching has been at Garden Grove Impact Academy and she has been evaluated until now as an exemplary teacher.

The District takes each and every reported act of misconduct seriously and is committed to aggressively pursuing any allegation to determine the truth and, if necessary, initiate the appropriate disciplinary or administrative measures. In this matter, Malia Brooks was placed on paid administrative leave on February 21, 2013 for alleged misconduct and the Simi Valley Police Department was notified and took over responsibility for the investigation. Subsequently, Malia Brooks resigned from her employment with the Simi Valley Unified School District on June 5, 2013.

The school and District administration have fully cooperated with the Simi Valley Police investigation. Due to legal constraints regarding confidential personnel matters, the details of this investigation and the victims cannot be disclosed. With the charges filed, this case will be determined in a court of law.

The District has provided crisis intervention counselors/Psychologists to work with students who might be impacted or concerned by the events taking place today.

I would like to reassure parents and guardians that the school and District has taken every precaution to ensure the safety of students and staff at our schools.

The Simi Valley Unified School District contact is:

Cary Dritz, Assistant Superintendent, Personnel Services
805-306-4500 ex: 4041

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