Sophia Canales, Stella Worley Middle School teacher’s aide charged with grooming and raping a 12-year-old student

According to court documents and the student’s family’s attorney, a former teacher’s assistant at Stella Worley Middle School in Westwego was detained and booked for first-degree rape after allegedly forcing a 12-year-old pupil to engage in oral sex on her.

Following the boy’s disclosure of the sexual act to Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office investigators, Sophia Vanessa Canales, 22, was detained at her Kenner home early on Saturday morning, according to attorney Artis G. Ulmer III.

According to Ulmer, the relationship was uncovered after an adult overheard the juvenile discussing Canales and the alleged sexual assault with a friend. After informing the parents of the child, the lad came clean about the relationship, according to Ulmer.

Ulmer claimed that images and videos of Canales with the minor at school as well as voicemail messages purportedly from Canales were found on the kid’s phone. One of the messages retrieved on the phone says “Hi boo. I miss you,” and threatens to “show up with a machete” if he was lying to her about whether his phone was dead or not.

A representative for Jefferson Parish Schools acknowledged that Canales worked at Stella Worley as a paraprofessional last year, supporting teachers in the classroom, but claimed she is no longer employed with the organization.

The school spokeswoman added, “We are assisting local authorities as they conduct an investigation.

According to a JPSO representative, Canales was detained on suspicion of “sexual contact with a youngster.”

If the victim is under 13 years old, first-degree rape is committed, which carries a potential life sentence. Canales was also charged with having sex with a minor. In Gretna’s parish jail, she is being detained without bail on Monday.

Ulmer asserted that he thinks the minor and Canales’ relationship started in April or May of last year when Canales was employed by the minor’s school as a paraprofessional. When the alleged sexual act occurred is unknown.

Ulmer claimed that Canales “groomed” the child over the summer and cited CashApp transactions and other proof that Canales had bought the boy’s PlayStation games and meal orders.

“She used her position as a teacher, a position of authority, to convince him that she could be trusted,” Ulmer said. “This started and took shape in the schoolhouse.”

Last known contact information

Address: 3819 Connecticut Ave Kenner, LA 70065

Jail Information
Booking ID: 1001894332