Update: Police say more people have made sexual allegations against Turlock teacher
More possible victims have come forward after a Turlock band teacher was arrested Monday in connection with allegations of sex crimes against a former student in 2016, police said Tuesday afternoon.
Daniel James Baudino, 38, of Turlock, faces multiple preliminary charges of having unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor and oral copulation with a minor.
The Turlock Police Department began investigating Oct. 28 after an apparent victim, who is 15 years younger than Baudino and was 17 at the time, came forward with allegations of sexual acts that occurred between June and August 2016, authorities said in a news release issued Tuesday.
Police discovered digital evidence to support these allegations on Baudino’s electronic devices while serving a search warrant at his home, Lt. Neil Cervenka said. Officers then arrested Baudino after school Monday at Turlock Junior High School, where he teaches.
Cervenka said he hopes the bravery of the former student who first reported the alleged crimes will help other people speak out about what may have happened to them.
Several more people have already reached out to the department with additional allegations against Baudino, Cervenka said. He did not specify how many.
Even if someone believes the statute of limitations may have run out for their circumstances, Cervenka said reporting what happened could still help with the investigation.
“We need to get all the facts together for this case,” Cervenka said.
Marie Russell, Turlock Unified School District spokesperson, said in a statement that police notified the school district Monday about the “deeply concerning” allegations.
The district is fully cooperating with the investigation, and counselors and Student Support Clinicians will be available for students, families and staff affected by the news.
Baudino was employed at Turlock High School at the time of the alleged crimes. He has been placed on paid administrative leave from the district and his positions at the junior high school and Dennis Earl Elementary School.
Baudino has been released from the Stanislaus County jail after posting $150,000 bail, sheriff’s Sgt. Erich Layton said.
John Goold, spokesperson for the Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office, said Baudino’s first court date is scheduled for Jan. 28.
Anyone who has information related to these crimes should call Detective Timothy Redd at 209-664-7325 or the Turlock Police Department’s tip line at 209-668-5550, ext. 6780, or email at tpdtipline@turlock.ca.us.
Callers can also leave an anonymous tip with Stanislaus Area Crime Stoppers at 209-521-4636.
This story was originally published November 2, 2021 at 12:48 PM.
