California Educator Accused in Unconscious Sex Case

(Lafayette, California) A 39-year-old special education teacher's aide at Springhill Elementary School, Stephanie Elliott, has been accused of sexual assaulting a sleeping adult woman in July 2010.

According to Nancy Georgiou, head of the Contra Costa District Attorney's sex crime unit, the charges are not related to Elliott's job as an educator.

Elliott faces charges of oral copulation and attempted sexual penetration on an unconscious person. Earlier today, Elliott pleaded not guilty at arraignment.

The allegations were referred to the district attorney's office last year, but there was insufficient evidence at that time to prosecute, Georgiou said. Superintendent Fred Brill said Elliott was arrested in the school parking lot, and he did not believe many students witnessed the incident.

Elliott has been placed on administrative leave, and parents were notified of the arrest via email, Brill said. Since the arrest did not involve students, no parent meeting was planned, he added.

Elliot was booked into custody and released on $100,000 bail.