Parent chaperone arrested for inappropriate contact with middle school student

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A 35-year-old parent was arrested for allegedly having inappropriate contact with a student while working as a chaperone on a field trip for students of a Granada Hills middle school, police said.

Hugo Paniagua allegedly contacted a minor during and after the Patrick Henry Middle School field trip on Wednesday, according to Los Angeles police.

Paniagua was arrested on Thursday and released the following day after posting $5,000 bail, according to sheriff's inmate records.

Paniagua isscheduled to appear in court in San Fernando on June 28.

"The chaperone was arrested on suspicion of contacting a minor to commit a felony sex act," said Principal Sandra Cruz in a voicemail message to parents.

Cruz told parents in a voicemail message Friday some students were concerned over Paniagua's behavior during the field trip.

It was unclear how many were victimized, but in a statement from LAUSD, they made it clear it was more than one.

The LAUSD reported that normally, schools do simple screening on chaperones.

Detectives are seeking additional victims and asking parents to make sure their children's contacts with Paniagua were appropriate, police said.

Anyone with information pertaining to possibly inappropriate conduct between Paniagua and a child was asked to contact detectives at (818) 832-0609.

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