Police arrest teacher at Mercedarias school in Madrid over abuse of about 10 minors

Spain's National Police arrested a 37-year-old teacher at the Mercedarias de Don Juan school in central Madrid on October 13, 2026. He is accused of sexually assaulting about 10 children under the age of 16, both on school grounds and during a summer camp.

The Family and Minors Unit (UFAM) led the investigation, which uncovered two patterns of offending: some victims were sexually abused, while with others the teacher carried out assaults involving penetration and recorded them. Those recordings were entered as evidence during the proceedings.

Victims' reports and the investigation

The case began when the children themselves told other teachers at the school what had happened, and those teachers alerted the authorities. Officers later identified nine victims between the ages of 12 and 15. All of them gave statements at a police station.

The investigation remains open. Officers have located other possible victims and are still making inquiries, so the total number could rise above the nine whose statements have already confirmed the events.

Devices seized and charges

Officers searched the suspect's home under a court order and seized multiple electronic devices, including cell phones, laptops and data storage media.

The teacher was arrested on suspicion of three continuing offenses of full sexual assault against a child under 16, plus three further offenses of sexual assault against children of the same age involving different victims. The charges also include child prostitution, child pornography and child grooming. The court immediately ordered him held in pretrial detention.