California Teacher Arrested for Kidnapping, Child Endangerment

(Lake Elsinore, California) On February 10, a 29-year-old second-grade teacher at Park Avenue Elementary School, Graciela Bustamante, was arrested for allegedly engaging in a lewd act with a 14- or 15-year-old child. Bustamante was booked into custody and released on bail two days later.

Last Friday, a week after her release, Bustamante persuaded a 15-year-old girl to run away with her. The Lake Elsinore Police Department launched a search and later requested assistance from the FBI. Federal agents found Bustamante crouched on the floor of the backseat of her parked car in Riverside.

Bustamante was arrested.

Bustamante told officers she had dropped the girl off at a nearby gas station, the news release said. The Riverside Police Department responded and found the girl at the gas station unharmed. She was taken home.

Bustamante was then booked into custody at the Southwest Detention Center for alleged kidnapping and child endangerment.