Mesa Middle School Teacher Arrested for Child Abuse

ARROYO GRANDE — On Tuesday, April 25, at approximately 11:30 a.m., the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a battery against a 13-year-old female student at Mesa Middle School in Arroyo Grande. According to witnesses, a teacher identified as Sarah Watts, 42, residing in Pismo Beach, pulled a hairbrush from the student’s hand during class, leaving visible injuries on the student.

Shortly thereafter, Watts reportedly threw papers at the students, causing the same student to sustain a cut on her temple. As a result of the incident, Watts has been arrested by Sheriff’s Detectives for child abuse under California Penal Code 273d(a) and is currently being booked at the San Luis Obispo County Jail.

The Sheriff’s Office is working with the Lucia Mar Unified School District on this investigation. There is no ongoing threat to students, staff, or the community at this time.