Testimony got under way Tuesday in a preliminary hearing for a former teacher at a rural East County elementary school, who is accused of molesting eight children over a 10-year period.
Robert Noel Anderson, 59, is suspected of molesting the victims while teaching the fourth and sixth grades at Dehesa Elementary School, according to sheriff’s spokeswoman Jan Caldwell.
Caldwell said the multiple abuse cases between 2003 and 2013 were reported to the Sheriff’s Department.
Anderson was arrested Sept. 11 after a criminal complaint and warrant were issued in the case. He faces 32 years in prison if convicted of 13 counts of committing a lewd act on a child.
The preliminary hearing will resume Wednesday morning. Following the conclusion of testimony, Judge Evan Kirvin will determine whether enough evidence was presented for Anderson to proceed to trial.
— City News Service
