A California public school teacher has been arrested for allegedly hiding a missing Rancho Cordova teenager in her home for nearly two years.
Holga Castillo Olivares, 61, a teacher at Alice Birney Waldorf-Inspired K-8 School has been charged with felony detention of a minor with intent to conceal from a parent and misdemeanor contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Olivares is listed on the school’s website as a second grade teacher.
The teenager, Michael Ramirez, was reported missing by his parents on June 9, 2020, when he was 15 years old. His family had last seen him on May 18, 2020.
Ramirez’ guardian, Katte Smith, said that he had left the home after an argument and did not return.
On March 11, 2022, Ramirez returned home without explanation, according to a report from local station KRCA.
The family of Ramirez told the sheriff’s office that he had been staying at a former friend’s home, whose mother was Olivares.
“He felt like the grass was greener on the other side,” Smith told KCRA. “We felt so robbed of all this time with him. You can’t just hide someone’s kid and think that’s OK.”
According to reports from KCRA, Olivares had been questioned throughout the missing persons investigation.
The Sacramento City Unified School District said in a statement to KRCA that “the charges filed are for acts unrelated to the employee’s assigned duties.” However, she has been placed on leave pending an investigation by the district.
SCUSD added that Olivares “was taken into custody at the school after students were dismissed for the day.”
Olivares is scheduled to appear in court on Monday.
The sheriff’s office is asking anyone with information on the case to call them at 916-362-5115.
