KENT, Wash. — A staff member of the Kent School District was arrested Thursday morning.
Kentwood High School sent a letter to parents and students informing them of allegations of “inappropriate behavior by a KW staff member.” The school said the employee was immediately placed on administrative leave and that law enforcement was notified.
“I’m very concerned. It’s a scary thing,” said Sherry Villasenor, a Kentwood parent.
Until the suspect’s first court appearance and the release of charging documents, the school has chosen to withhold the staff member’s name.
A deputy with the King County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the connection between the staff member in the letter and online booking charges. Those charges include an investigation into the rape of a child, sexual misconduct of a minor, and communicating with a minor for immoral purposes.
The school said that despite these allegations, student safety continues to be their “number one priority.”