Tracy Vanderhulst, a 38-year-old math teacher at Yucaipa High School in California, was taken into custody on Thursday night for allegedly having unlawful sexual contact with a 16-year-old male student.
She has been charged with statutory rape and booked into San Bernardino’s Central Detention Center, with her bail set at $30,000.
The arrest was made following a meticulous investigation conducted by detectives from the Sheriff’s Department’s Crimes Against Children Detail division and the Yucaipa Police Department.
Vanderhulst had been working at the school since 2013 and in 2017 received the prestigious “Teacher of the Year” award. In the description of why she deserved the honor, Vanderhulst was hailed as a “kind and innovative teacher from whom we hope our children will grow” and one who “strives to engage all of her students from her intervention classes to her honors classes.”
But the allegations against her present a starkly different picture. Detectives validated that there may be more victims and asked that anyone with further information come forward to aid the investigation.
Those with knowledge of any possible crimes in the teacher-student sexual misconduct case are encouraged to call Detective Rachel Young of the Specialized Investigations Division at (909) 890-4904 or submit anonymous tips to the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463).
This case is still under investigation, and anyone with knowledge must take action to ensure justice is served.