DALLAS -- A third-grade teacher in Terrell was arrested on suspicion of sexually assaulting one of his students.
Police said a third-grade girl at J.W. Long Elementary reported the assault to her parents, who in turn called police.
Salvador Mata, 51, was charged with one count of aggravated sexual assault of a child. Police said the case is still under investigation and additional charges are possible. "Anytime there's a child involved, anytime there's any type of sex act, it's certainly upsetting to us and the general public," Terrell police Capt. A.D. Sansom said.
Police said the assault took place on school grounds during school hours. Mata was arrested at his home.
Mata, an English as a second language teacher, has taught in the Terrell School District for eight years.
"To my knowledge, I don't think that there has been issues with Mr. Mata, and that's the reason that people are quite shocked at this incident," Terrell Superintendent Kelly Rodgers said.
Neighbors said they were shocked by the arrest.
"You never want to hear that about anybody," one neighbor said.
Mata is married with two children.
Brenda Denson Prince, another neighbor, said he is good person and a good family man.
"Until he is proven guilty, I am going to stand by his side," she said.
"It's shocking, it's heartbreaking, but we believe in him that he did not do that," another neighbor said.
Mata's wife told NBC 5 she had no comment on her husband's arrest.
Mata is scheduled to make his first court appearance on Tuesday morning.
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