Last week, the parents of the young woman in this case called Clayton and Walnut Creek police regarding the suspected abuse. After a week long investigation, police decided they had enough evidence to arrest Cotrell.
At about noon Walnut Creek police officers came to Diablo View Middle School in Clayton. They took 41-year-old science and math teacher Bruce Cottrell out of class. Officers then brought him into another room away from students and arrested him.
"He confessed to the several allegations and then at that time he was taken to Contra Costa County Martinez detention facility," said Walnut Creek Police Sgt. Tom Cashion.
He faces multiple charges of sexual abuse with a former student. School sources told ABC7 he has allegedly been having relations with the young woman for the past three years.
"We have unlawful sexual intercourse, we have lewd acts with a child between the ages of 15 and 14 and then we also have oral copulation with a juvenile," said Cashion.
Police say the child's parents found out about the relationship with Cotrell, confronted the child, then called police.
Mt. Diablo Unified superintendent Steven Lawrence quickly alerted parents of the arrest through the school's phone tree.
The message to parents said, "Sadly, I must share some very serious and troubling information with you. Today, Andrew Bruce Cottrell, one of our Diablo View Middle School teachers, was arrested by the Walnut Creek Police Department for having alleged inappropriate relations with a former student. Children's safety is a paramount concern to our district. Accordingly, we are actively cooperating with both police departments to ensure they have all the support they need to investigate this matter."
Police served a search warrant on Cotrell's Walnut Creek home where they say he brought the young woman and discovered more evidence of the relationship.
Neighbor Janet Abrams stood stunned and speechless when she found out about the arrest. She said, "I am shocked. I know him and Kelly lived here before they were even married to him and they have two little boys... I am shocked."
A teacher at the middle school, who wouldn't go on camera, told ABC7 how angry she was with Cotrell. Not just for the sexual abuse, but also for the trust of the parents and students that he violated.
All the charges against Cotrell are felonies. Anyone with information of any other abuse cases are asked to give police a call.
