Fairfield teacher arrested for allegedly molesting a student

FAIRFIELD, Calif. (KGO) -- A Bay Area teacher is accused of molesting a student. Parents and students are stunned by the recent arrest. Police say it happened on the school grounds of Fairfield High School.

"He taught honors chemistry and integrated science," Fairfield High School student Andrea Martinez said.

Martinez says 27-year-old Eric Hankins was her chemistry teacher at Fairfield High School.

"He got along well with the students, and he talked to us a lot too. He was really friendly," Martinez said.

This was his first year at Fairfield High, but it didn't last long. Hankins was arrested on Dec. 31 and charged with lewd and lascivious behavior with a 14-year-old student. Police say it happened on campus in early December.

"I mean, how does something like that happen on campus? That shouldn't be happening," Fairfield parent

Christine Gaddy said.

Hankins was placed on administrative leave until his arrest.

"Two days ago I received an email from another chemistry teacher saying that he is no longer going to be our teacher and he's going to be taking over for us," Martinez said.

"To know that someone was taking advantage of their privileges and rights as a teacher is disgusting," Gaddy said.

Police also searched Hankins' home for evidence of an ongoing relationship with the student.

The Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District was unavailable to comment. Meanwhile, investigators are still asking the public for information about this incident.