A sixth-grade teacher has been charged with 10 counts of sexually molesting multiple students at the Millbrae school where he taught, according to the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office.
On Thursday, April 20, 54-year-old Matthew Garrett was arrested at his San Francisco home and booked into the Maguire Correctional Facility in Redwood City on the charges. His bail was set at $5 million.
Sheriff’s deputies were called to Taylor Middle School on Feb. 24 about the allegations. An investigation revealed the alleged sexual assault took place sometime between November 2021 and March 2022, the Sheriff’s Office said. During the investigation, detectives learned of several juvenile suspects who also claimed to have been touched inappropriately (over their clothing) by the suspect between 2007 and 2022, officials added.
The school placed the teacher on administrative leave immediately after learning about the allegations, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
The investigation is ongoing, as detectives believe other victims and witnesses have yet to be identified.
“Teachers are caretakers entrusted with our children, to help protect and safeguard them while they are at school,” said Sheriff Christina Corpus. “What this suspect is alleged to have done to students in his care is abhorrent and flies in the face of everything good, selfless teachers stand for. These are challenging cases to investigate but our Office is committed to protecting and serving our community’s children.”
Anyone who has information regarding this incident is urged to call Detective Homing Cheung at 650-599-1546 or the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office Anonymous Tip Line at 1-800-547-2700.
