California high school counselor charged with sexually abusing 16-year-old boy

A former California high school counselor has been arrested on suspicion of sexually abusing a 16-year-old student, authorities said.

Julie Tichon was a 37-year-old guidance counselor at YULA High School, a Modern Orthodox Jewish school in Los Angeles, according to a Los Angeles Police Department press release. Police allege she repeatedly engaged in “sexual conduct” with a 16-year-old boy between February and March.

Authorities said she no longer works at the school.

“Teachers and school staff have a fundamental duty to provide a safe environment for all students, and when that trust is broken, it impacts the entire community,” Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón said in a press release from his office.

“Our office is committed to obtaining justice for the victim and holding this individual fully accountable. To all victims and families affected by crimes like this, please know that we stand by your side and will continue to fight for your safety and justice.”

Tikhon was charged with three counts of illicit sexual intercourse with a minor more than three years younger than him and one serious case of oral sex with a person under the age of 18, according to a press release from the public prosecutor's office.

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Prosecutors said she was arraigned on Sept. 19 and pleaded not guilty to all charges. They added that she was released on bail by the court and is due back in court for a preliminary hearing on Nov. 1. PEOPLE could not immediately locate an attorney who could speak on her behalf.

Investigators now assume that there are other potential victims and are asking anyone interested to come forward.

“The suspect used her position of responsibility to gain the trust of these victims and then began inappropriate sexual relationships with them,” LAPD Detective Russ Hess alleged.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Brent Hopkins of the LAPD Operations West Bureau at 213-473-0447.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to Rainn.org.