Ciara Picard, a former music teacher at Maloney High School in Meriden, Conn., faces five counts of second-degree sexual assault after investigators say she groomed a student beginning when he was 13. Authorities allege the misconduct continued through his senior year, including a first kiss when he was 16 and exchanges of sexual texts and explicit photos. Picard resigned in August, surrendered to police on Dec. 2 and was released on a $25,000 bond. Her next court date is Dec. 16.
Former Meriden Music Teacher Charged After Alleged Grooming And Sexual Assault Of Student
Meriden Police DepartmentCiara Picard
A former music teacher at Maloney High School in Meriden, Connecticut, has been charged after investigators say she groomed and sexually assaulted a student over several years while he was a minor.
Who Is Involved: Police identified the accused as 39-year-old Ciara Picard. Authorities say Picard surrendered to Meriden police on Dec. 2 and faces five counts of second-degree sexual assault. Picard resigned from her position at Maloney High School in August.
Allegations: According to an arrest warrant obtained by local media, investigators allege the inappropriate conduct began when the student was a 13-year-old freshman and continued through his senior year at age 17. The student, who has since graduated, told authorities the first kiss occurred when he was 16 during a trip to New York; the warrant quotes Picard as allegedly telling him, "I've always wanted to kiss you," before the two kissed.
The warrant also describes frequent text exchanges between Picard and the student. The victim said messages became sexual in his junior year and that Picard allegedly told him how much she wanted him and that she "loved" him. Investigators allege the pair exchanged sexually explicit photographs.
"The safety and well-being of students remain our highest priority," Meriden police said in a statement. "Individuals in positions of trust carry a responsibility to uphold the highest standard of conduct, and any violation of that trust is taken with the utmost importance."
Investigative Steps And Status: Police visited the school in August to question Picard. She initially denied any improper relationships with students, but the arrest warrant states she later acknowledged exchanging text messages with the student and said those messages "definitely crossed the line."
Picard was released from custody after posting a court-set bond of $25,000. Her next court appearance is scheduled for Dec. 16. It is not publicly known whether she has entered a plea or retained counsel. Maloney High School and local officials did not immediately provide further comment.
Note on Reporting: These are allegations. Criminal charges have been filed and proceedings are pending. The accused is entitled to the presumption of innocence unless and until proven guilty in court.
