Update: Police Say Children Didn't See Arrest of Clayton Teacher

A Diablo View Middle School teacher who confessed to unlawful sexual intercourse with a former student was arrested at the school Friday, according to Walnut Creek Police.

However, children did not witness the arrest of Andrew Bruce Cottrell, 41, according to Walnut Creek police. 

The decision to arrest the math and science teacher on campus was made by Clayton and Walnut Creek police immediately after the arrest warrant was issued, according to Sgt. Tom Cashion, of the Walnut Creek Police Department. 

"Because he was in a position of trust with kids, we made a public safety decision," said Cashion. "We wanted to make sure if he was committing any crimes we didn't know about, that we could stop that from occurring as soon as possible."

Cottrell was asked by school staff to appear before the principal, and police officers were waiting in the office, Cashion said. 

The arrest was made privately at noon in an adjacent room, he added.

Cashion emphasized in a phone interview with Concord Patch that although it's possible a couple of students might have noticed police activity, he is confident none witnessed Cottrell being arrested.

"We had his cuffs concealed," said Cashion. 

According to a press release, Cottrell provided a "full confession" and was booked into the county detention facility in Martinez for:

• Six counts of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor under 16 (PC 261.5(d));
•  Two counts of lewd acts with a victim who is 15 years or 14 years old (PC 288(c)(1));
• Nine counts of oral copulation with victim under 16 years old and defendant is over 21 years old (PC 288(a)(b)(2)).

Cashion said the District Attorney's office was involved in the investigation and is expected to file charges early next week.

Bail was set at $975,000, according to Walnut Creek Police.

Mount Diablo Unified School District Superintendent Steven Lawrence informed district parents of the arrest through a phone message Friday afternoon.

"Children's safety is a paramount concern to our district," he said. "We are actively cooperating with both police departments to ensure they have all the support they need in this matter." 

Anyone with further information is encouraged to contact the Walnut Creek Police Department at (925) 943-5844.