Donna teacher aide surrenders to authorities

EDINBURG — A Donna teacher aide wanted on suspicion of raping a former student has surrendered to authorities, officials said.

Angel Fidencio Candanoza, 28, was arraigned Tuesday afternoon on sexual abuse charges, said Hidalgo County Sheriff Lupe Treviño. Justice of the Peace Mary Alice Palacios set the man’s bond at $50,000.

Candanoza is accused of sexually abusing a 13-year-old girl at his rural Donna home, the sheriff said. Investigators executed a warrant to search the man’s body and collected hair, blood and saliva samples to extract DNA evidence.

The girl told investigators she had sex with Candanoza on Aug. 7 at his house on East Mile 13 Road near Donna, the sheriff said. The girl had run away from home and Candanoza took her in at his house, where he allegedly sexually assaulted the teen.

It is The Monitor’s policy not to identify those who may be victims of sex crimes.

A forensic examination corroborated the girl’s story and she identified Candanoza from a photo lineup, Treviño said. Throughout her interviews with investigators, the girl described Candanoza as her boyfriend.

Hidalgo County Justice of the Peace Charlie Espinoza issued a warrant Friday for the man’s arrest.

Candanoza had met the girl at D.M. Sauceda Middle School near Donna, where she was a student and he works as a teacher aide, the sheriff said.

Robert Loredo, the superintendent of the Donna school district, said his school system launched an investigation in May after learning of allegations that Candanoza was having a relationship with the girl. The man was then suspended from the campus.

Candanoza is currently under review by the State Board for Educator Certification’s Professional Discipline Unit, according to that agency’s Web site.

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Ana Ley covers law enforcement and general assignments for The Monitor. You can reach her at (956) 683-4428.