by | Published
SAN ANTONIO, TX — A 46-year-old Northside ISD teacher has been arrested and charged with Continuous Sexual Assault of a Child under 14 following a disturbing outcry from a former student. Cecilia Mueller was taken into custody after a now 20-year-old man came forward to report a pattern of grooming and sexual abuse that allegedly occurred while he was a fifth-grader in her classroom.
The abuse is reported to have taken place during the 2016–2017 school year at Lewis Elementary School, where Mueller worked for over a decade.
According to the arrest affidavit, Mueller utilized her position of authority to "single out" specific students as "favorites." These students were invited to sit at a designated reading table in the classroom, where the grooming process allegedly began.
The victim reported that Mueller engaged the group in inappropriate conversations regarding her personal life and probed the students about their "crushes." These interactions escalated during lunch periods, when the "favorites" were allowed to stay behind in the classroom. During these unsupervised sessions, Mueller reportedly:
Played games such as "Truth or Dare" and "Kiss, Marry, Kill."
Dared students to kiss one another.
Showed students explicit music videos and, on at least one occasion, a pornographic video.
The man told investigators that the behavior eventually turned into daily physical abuse when he and Mueller were alone in the classroom. The affidavit states that Mueller began by touching his leg and kissing him, eventually telling the child she "wanted more." She is then accused of engaging in sexual conduct with the 10-year-old victim inside a classroom closet.
Investigators corroborated the victim’s account by reviewing text message logs provided by his mother. Records from just one week in February 2017 revealed approximately 300 messages and photos sent between the victim and Mueller.
To maintain silence, Mueller allegedly told the fifth-grader that if he told his parents, she would get in "serious trouble." The victim reported that she commanded him never to speak of their relationship for the rest of his life and chillingly told him to contact her once he turned 18.
Northside ISD confirmed Mueller’s employment history in the district:
Lewis Elementary School: August 2007 – June 2019
Henderson Elementary School: August 2019 – Present (Current assignment at the time of arrest)
The San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) has issued a significant alert, stating there is reason to believe there could be additional victims given her nearly 20-year career in local elementary schools.
Mueller is currently held at the Bexar County Jail with bail set at $95,000.
CALL TO ACTION: If you believe you were a victim or have information regarding Cecilia Mueller, please contact the SAPD Special Victims Unit at (210) 207-2313.
