LOS ANGELES, CA – Authorities have arrested a Santa Monica High School teacher on allegations of engaging in an inappropriate relationship with a 16-year-old student, the Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) said.
Ingo Horst Gaida, 58, of Los Angeles, was taken into custody following an investigation that determined the science teacher and student had been involved in inappropriate activities since late 2024. SMPD detectives said the incidents took place at multiple locations across Los Angeles County.
According to the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD), Gaida has been employed as a science teacher at Santa Monica High School since September 1993. The district said it reported the concerns to law enforcement and child welfare authorities as soon as they were brought to the attention of school administrators.
“SMMUSD takes allegations of this nature seriously and is fully cooperating with law enforcement on this investigation,” Superintendent Antonio Shelton said in a statement. “The teacher was immediately placed on administrative leave for the alleged misconduct while under investigation.”
Shelton emphasized that privacy laws prevent the district from disclosing details about the investigation or the student involved.
“We wish to reassure all of our educational partners that the school and district have and will continue to take every precaution to ensure the safety of students and staff at our schools,” he said. “Every parent deserves to know that their children are safe and treated with the utmost concern when they are at our schools.”
Authorities said Gaida has no prior criminal history. He was released from SMPD custody with a citation and a promise to appear in court. The case will be submitted to the Santa Monica City Attorney’s Office for further review.
Police are asking anyone with additional information or who may have been affected to contact Officer Destiny King at (310) 458-6679, Sergeant David Haro at (310) 458-8952, or the Watch Commander’s desk at (310) 458-8427.
