By Khalida Sarwari
A Watsonville high school teacher was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of having sexual relationships with multiple students and giving alcohol to teenagers on and off campus, police said.
Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for 37-year-old Tanya Thienngern, 37, on Tuesday following an investigation that began on May 10 into allegations that the Pajaro Valley High School teacher was involved in a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old male student.
Further investigation indicated that Thienngern may have been having sexual contact with more than one student and providing alcohol to students both on and off campus, according to police.
The Pajaro Valley Unified School District placed Thienngern on administrative leave once it was informed of the allegations.
Thienngern, accompanied by her attorney, surrendered to police at 4:15 p.m. on Wednesday. She is being held in Santa Cruz County jail on $25,000 bail.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the Police Department’s tip line at (831) 728-3544 or the investigations bureau at (831) 768-3352.