PASCO, Wash.-A paraeducator with the Pasco School District is being investigated for the alleged rape of a student.
According to the Pasco School District, administrators at Stevens Middle School received reports of the alleged inappropriate contact on Friday, Feb. 23.
Law enforcement was immediately notified and a criminal investigation was opened, which led to the arrest of the paraeducator.
According to probable cause documents from Franklin County Superior Court, a 14-year-old student at Stevens reported that they texted back and forth with the 32-year-old Paraeducator via social media and eventually asked for a ride after practice one day.
The Paraeducator reportedly drove around before stopping in a parking lot where she allegedly performed oral sex on the student.
Pasco Police contacted the Paraeducator at their home and they were arrested and booked into the Franklin County Jail on a 72-hour hold on suspicion of rape of a child. A no-contact order between the Paraeducator and the student has been granted.
According to court documents, the Paraeducator is being investigated for the alleged rape and two counts of communicating with a minor for immoral purposes. She was ordered to have no contact with anyone under age 18 and to surrender her passport.
The paraeducator has been placed on leave pending the criminal investigation and she has posted $50,000 bail. Her next court appearance is scheduled for March. 5.
The PSD provided a statement to NonStop Local on the situation, which read in part:
“The District is committed to cooperating with law enforcement and providing support to our students and community throughout this process. If true, these allegations represent a breach of our trust and a disappointing departure from our standards for all district employees. The safety of our students is the highest priority of our school and district staff members.”
