High School Teacher Charged for Classroom Incident

District Attorney Tim Ward has announced criminal charges against local high school teacher Margaret Gieszinger, age 52, for an incident that occurred in her classroom with students at University Preparatory High School in Visalia on December 5, 2018.

Gieszinger is charged with one count of false imprisonment, two counts of cruelty to a child, two counts of battery, and one count of assault. Each count is a misdemeanor. If convicted on all charges, Gieszinger faces up to 3 years, 6 months in jail.

Gieszinger will be arraigned this afternoon at the county pre-trial facility. A future court date will be set at that time.

Media inquiries can be directed to the Office of the District Attorney, County of Tulare Assistant District Attorney Dave Alavezos (559) 636-5494