Elementary school paraprofessional arrested on child sex-related charges in Empire
A paraprofessional assigned to Alice Stroud Elementary School was arrested Tuesday on multiple child sex-related charges after investigators alleged she had inappropriate contact with a student over several years, according to the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff’s officials identified the woman as Sheila Tierra Ochoa, 27, an Empire Union School District paraprofessional assigned to the elementary school.
Deputies responded around 12:40 p.m. Tuesday to a report involving a school official allegedly engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a student, according to a Sheriff’s Office news release. School staff contacted law enforcement immediately after learning of the allegations, authorities said.
During the investigation, detectives with the Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit identified Ochoa as the suspect accused of having inappropriate contact with the student.
Investigators believe the first incident occurred about four years ago, when Ochoa worked yard duty at Alice Stroud Elementary School, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies and detectives later located and arrested Ochoa at the school campus.
She was booked into the Stanislaus County Public Safety Center on suspicion of lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14, sending harmful material to a minor, annoying or molesting a child, willful harm to a child and stalking, authorities said.
Jail records showed Ochoa remained in custody Wednesday with bail set at $395,000.
Detectives continued investigating Wednesday to determine whether there may be additional victims or evidence connected to the case.
The Sheriff’s Office said no additional information about the child involved would be released because of California confidentiality laws protecting minors.
The Bee reached out Wednesday to Empire Union School District seeking comment on Ochoa’s employment status, whether parents had been notified and what actions the district has taken following the arrest. A response was not immediately received.
Anyone with information related to the investigation is asked to contact Detective Barron at 209-525-7117 or Stanislaus Area Crime Stoppers at 1-866-602-7463.
This story was originally published May 27, 2026 at 6:56 PM.
