VAN NUYS – A 40-year-old woman who teaches in a private home-schooling group has been arrested, suspected of molesting a 14-year-old boy she’s been teaching, police said Friday.
Los Angeles Police Department Van Nuys detectives arrested Meredith Johnson Vincent of Van Nuys, a married mother of three, about 3 p.m., said LAPD Capt. Jim Miller.
“This woman is a sexual predator,” said Miller, noting the seriousness of the 14-count felony indictment against Vincent.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office has charged Vincent with sodomy and oral copulation of a person under 16, unlawful sexual intercourse and sending harmful matter. Miller said the latter typically consists of sending a minor sexually explicit photos.
Police said the boy’s mother called police after becoming aware that something sexual was going on.
The complaint filed by the D.A.’s Office alleges that the molestation took place between Sept. 6 and Oct. 6. If convicted on all counts, Miller faces “substantial time in state prison,” said Sandi Gibbons, spokeswoman for the prosecutor’s office.
Miller said Vincent’s husband, whose name was not released, has been cooperative with police.
Vincent’s bail was set at $550,000.
She worked for several people as a part of a home-school group and had contact with other children, Miller said.
“Our concern is there may be other victims out there that used her as a teacher-tutor,” Miller said.
Women molesting children is a rare occurrence and when it does occur, it often gets massive coverage by the news media, Miller said.
In one such case in Washington state, Mary Kay Letourneau, a wife, mother and school teacher, was convicted of molesting a sixth-grade student. She became pregnant, served time in prison and eventually married the student and had another child with him.
Sensationalistic appeal aside, molestation allegations against women should not be taken lightly, Miller said.
“We don’t look at it in society the same as a male having sex with a 14-year-old girl, but it can have an equally devastating impact on young boys,” Miller said.