Teacher Accused of Sexually Assaulting Former Student

A female teacher has been arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting one of her former students, the San Diego Police Department confirmed Thursday.

Sex Crimes detectives said Kelly McKenzy Watson, 34, is currently in custody for the alleged sexual assault of a 17-year-old male student she met in her class at the New Haven residential school in Vista.

According to detectives, Watson was the teenager’s teacher for several semesters at the Vista-based school, from September 2010 until August 2011. Watson is currently employed as a teacher at Oceanside High School.

On July 30, Sex Crimes detectives received a tip about possible inappropriate sexual conduct between Watson and her former student. After investigating, detectives determined the pair dated several months ago.

Police said Watson was arrested Thursday just before 11 a.m. She was booked into Las Colinas Detention Facility and is facing charges of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor.

She is scheduled to appear in court Monday.

On Thursday night Doreen Quinn, CEO of New Haven Youth and Family Services in Vista, released the following statement via email regarding Watson's arrest:

"New Haven was alerted of the arrest of Ms. Kelly Watson, a former New Haven teacher this morning. Ms. Watson was employed at New Haven from September 2010 to August 2011. We were informed this morning that Ms. Watson continued a relationship with a former student after her departure from New Haven. We do not believe, nor have we been informed that the sexual relationship occurred while Ms. Watson was employed at New Haven. We are and will continue to be forthright and cooperative with law enforcement. Like the community, we are dismayed and saddened by the findings that resulted in her arrest today."