DA Declines to Charge Turlock Teacher in Alleged Assault

Investigations found no wrongdoing by substitute teacher Vance Yarbrough, despite claims from mayoral candidate Kelley Coelho.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 4:33am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a classroom doorknob, lit by a harsh flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually representing the investigation into the alleged incident.An investigation into allegations of a teacher assaulting a student at Turlock Junior High School has concluded with no charges filed, raising questions about the credibility of the claims.Turlock Today

The Stanislaus County District Attorney's office has declined to bring charges against a Turlock Junior High School substitute teacher accused of assaulting a student. Mayoral candidate Kelley Coelho alleged that teacher Vance Yarbrough assaulted her daughter Faith Solis in October 2025, but investigations by the police, school district, and DA found no evidence to support the claims.

Why it matters

The case has become politically charged, with Coelho alleging a cover-up by local authorities. The decision not to prosecute raises questions about the credibility of Coelho's claims and the integrity of the investigations, as the dispute continues to play out in the local political arena.

The details

Coelho, a private investigator who recently dropped a city council bid to run for mayor, alleged that Yarbrough assaulted her daughter during a substitute teaching assignment at Turlock Junior High School. Investigations by the Turlock Police Department, Turlock Unified School District, and the school itself found no wrongdoing by the teacher. In a letter, the DA's office said it could not prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt, noting that the only corroborating statements were from Solis' friends and were "largely proven false by video surveillance."

  • On October 22, 2025, the alleged incident occurred at Turlock Junior High School.
  • In early November 2025, Coelho made the allegations at a TUSD board meeting.
  • In February 2026, a judge dismissed Coelho's attempt to obtain a restraining order against Yarbrough.

The players

Kelley Coelho

A private investigator and Turlock mayoral candidate who has accused a substitute teacher of assaulting her daughter.

Vance Yarbrough

A substitute teacher at Turlock Junior High School who was accused of assaulting Coelho's daughter, but was cleared of wrongdoing by investigations.

Faith Solis

Coelho's daughter, who she claims was assaulted by Yarbrough during a substitute teaching assignment.

Turlock Police Department

Conducted an investigation into the alleged incident and found no evidence of wrongdoing by Yarbrough.

Stanislaus County District Attorney's Office

Reviewed the case and declined to bring charges against Yarbrough, citing lack of evidence.

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What they’re saying

“We never doubted the accuracy and integrity of our officer's investigation but having a second set of eyes examine our work is never a bad idea. It helps ensure we did things right.”

— Jason Hedden, Turlock Police Chief

“We're not basing our lawsuit on the fact that Faith made a complaint, and we're not basing it on the fact there was an investigation. We're basing it on the fact that they knew the falsity of it and then continued to post about it on social media.”

— Dustin Dyer, Yarbrough's attorney

What’s next

Coelho has stated she is taking the case to federal agencies, claiming nothing will be done at the local level. The political fallout from the case is expected to continue as Coelho runs for mayor.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges of balancing allegations of misconduct with thorough investigations, especially when the claims become politically charged. The decision not to prosecute raises questions about the credibility of the accuser, but also underscores the importance of due process and avoiding rush to judgment.