OC teacher under investigation after police say he fathered child with underage student 35 years ago

ANAHEIM, Calif. (KABC) -- A Lexington Junior High School band teacher is being investigated for fathering a child with one of his underage students about 35 years ago, police said Thursday.

Steve Graves, 61, was accused of having a sexual relationship with one of his students who came forward to police Aug. 26, according to Sgt. Matt Sutter of the Anaheim Police Department.

At the time of the alleged relationship in the late 1980s, Graves was working at Loara High School at 1765 W. Cerritos Ave., Sutter said.

Another woman contacted by detectives said she had a sexual relationship with Graves when she was his student and had a child with him, Sutter said.

"Very recently, both of the victims came to this realization that all the trauma that they've suffered in their lives is as a result of the sexual abuse that they endured back in the 1980s by this teacher," said Cristina Nolan, the attorney representing the two alleged victims.

Reiko, one of the alleged victims, shared a message on social media this week, saying, "The relief I feel at not having to carry SG's shame or his secret any farther, or those adults who saw, knew and did nothing (BS) is a little dizzying."

Meanwhile, the Anaheim Union High School District said it's taking "immediate steps" to fire Graves, saying once the district became aware of the situation at the end of August, he was placed on administrative leave and removed from campus.

"AUHSD has been fully cooperating with the Anaheim Police Department as they investigate this incident to identify any other possible instances of inappropriate behavior, harassment, or sexual misconduct by Graves," read a statement from the district. "To protect the integrity and confidentiality of the ongoing police investigation the District waited to communicate with parents and staff at his current school, Lexington JHS. District leadership met with Lexington staff on Monday [Sept. 9], sent a communication to Lexington families on Wednesday, and sent this release on Friday following an APD public statement on Thursday, indicating that they had opened an active investigation into these allegations."

Graves has also worked at Ball Junior High School, Sutter said.

Police were working with prosecutors to determine what, if any, charges could be filed that wouldn't be barred by the statute of limitations.

"At this time, we're looking into that," said Sutter. "Again, it was a long time ago. There is a statute of limitations. I don't have an exact date for you on when that limit was reached."

Anyone with information helpful to investigators was asked to call detectives at (714) 765-1623. Orange County Crime Stoppers will accept anonymous tips at 855-TIP-OCCS.

City News Service, Inc. contributed to this report.