AB Miller High School students defend teacher at center of hazing investigation

FONTANA, Calif. (KABC) -- Students at A.B. Miller High School in Fontana are stepping forward to defend a teacher accused of allowing hazing to take place in his classroom.

The incident came to light Friday when the mother of an alleged victim came forward to campus police and told them of the alleged abuse. By Saturday night, Fontana police made five arrests, including 27-year-old Emmanuel de la Rosa, who has taught at the school for four years.

Authorities say at least three victims were assaulted in de la Rosa's classroom during summer school sessions. In one case, de la Rosa may have directed students to assault one of the alleged victims due to behavioral issues.

Police would not discuss details of the alleged abuse, but said it was sexual in nature, and the victims did sustain minor injuries.

Fernando Salgado, 18, is one of the students arrested and is facing mayhem and rape charges, child cruelty and attempted sodomy. The other three male suspects are minors.

"Anytime you have something like this, it is absolutely shocking," said Superintendent Cari Olsen-Binks. "It just is one of those things that's unbelievable."

Former and present students of de la Rosa gathered outside the school on Monday morning to dispute the allegations he was involved.

Diana Limon, a junior at the school, was brought to tears discussing the incident.

"He's really nice. He never did anything wrong to us," she said.

"Misbehaving was not appropriate in class," said former student Diana Becera.

De la Rosa's mother-in-law was handing out fliers in front of the school Monday proclaiming his innocence.

"All those who know him know that he's innocent," said Reseana Tostado. "He gave no direction to these kids to do such things."

The school district has placed de la Rosa on administrative leave while it conducts its own internal investigation. They will be deciding whether the leave will be paid or unpaid. He was released on bail Sunday.

Police said there was so far no reason to believe anyone else in the district was involved or knew about the alleged hazing.

Anyone with information on the incident or other possible acts of hazing was asked to call the Fontana Police Department at (909) 935-0740.

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