A 45-year-old biology teacher at Brentwood School was arrested Aug. 18 for allegedly having sex with a 16-year-old student at the school.
Dr. Aimee Palmitessa was arrested by Los Angeles police and was booked on a felony statutory rape charge around 10 a.m. Friday morning. She was released the same day on $230,000 bail. Palmitessa was then placed on administrative leave according to a statement released by Dr. Mike Riera, the head of the school.
“The LAPD did not share additional information with us, such as the nature of the inappropriate relationship or the identity of the minor student.
“We immediately placed Dr. Palmitessa on leave,” Riera said. “We were shocked and distressed to receive the news of these allegations. As always, our primary concern is the safety, health and well-being of our students. To that end we will do everything we can to cooperate with the official police investigation.”
Palmitessa is due back in court on Sept. 15, when she’ll be asked how she wishes to plead.
