Morgan Hill fifth grade teacher arrested on suspicion of sexually assaulting student

A fifth-grade teacher at Paradise Valley Elementary School was arrested on suspicion of sexually assaulting a female student inside his classroom, according to Morgan Hill police.

John A. Loyd, 52 of Hollister, was arrested Oct. 2 on suspicion of lewd and lascivious acts with a child younger than 14, lewd and lascivious acts upon a child as a caretaker, annoying or molesting a child and preventing or dissuading a witness, police said. 

Loyd is accused of sexually assaulting a child victim on more than one occasion inside his classroom at the campus located at 1400 LaCrosse Drive, police said. 

The crime allegedly occurred earlier this month. 

Police have so far declined to release further information about the victim, including her age or whether or not she was regularly in Loyd’s classroom during instructional hours. 

Detectives are working with Morgan Hill Unified School District to notify parents and are asking parents to talk to their children to determine if there are anymore victims, according to MHPD Capt. Shane Palsgrove. 

Parents are encouraged to notify police before attempting a detailed interview with their child, Palsgrove added. 

Loyd was booked into Santa Clara County Jail following his arrest, and he remains in custody. 

Anyone with information about this case can contact MHPD Det. Mindy Zen at (408) 779-2101 or the anonymous tip line at (408) 947-7867.