Santa Monica High School teacher arrested for inappropriate relationship with teenage student

Police arrested a Santa Monica High School science teacher last week for an alleged relationship they had with a 16-year-old female student at the school. 

Ingo Horst Gaida, 58, was allegedly engaged in "inappropriate activities" with the student since late-2024, according to the Santa Monica Police Department. They say that the "incidents took place in multiple locations throughout Los Angeles County."

Once learning of the allegations, investigators gathered enough evidence to serve a search warrant and take Gaida into custody. He was booked on suspicion of annoying or molesting a child under 18 and for contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Both of those offenses are misdemeanors, police noted. 

Gaida was cited and released pending a decision by the Santa Monica City Attorney's Office on the possible charges. 

Anyone who may know more is asked to contact detectives at (310) 458-6679 or (310) 458-8952.