Email from DD's principal

[wvjules]

March 24, 2011

Dear WHS Students and Families,

Last evening, I was surprised and saddened to learn that the School Resource Officer assigned to Walkersville High School has been arrested. He was charged by the Frederick County Bureau of Investigation with child sex abuse and a fourth-degree sex offense. Teachers shared the news with their classes today when they distributed this letter near the end of 4th period.

The matter is completely in the hands of the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office, which employs and assigns SROs to Frederick County ’s public schools. Because the investigation is ongoing, I cannot offer any further comment. All additional information must come from the Sheriff’s Office.

I am confident that the Sheriff’s Office will complete a fair and thorough investigation and bring closure as quickly as possible. We are cooperating fully and will, of course, provide the necessary guidance and support to our students and their families.

If you have any reason to be concerned for your child’s well being in connection with this matter, please contact Cpl. Jennifer Bailey, 301-600-2534.

It can be distressing and confusing for young people when trusted adults are accused of violating that trust. WHS counselors and administrators are available for students who wish to talk things through. Your support at home will be helpful to students who are coping with conflicting feelings or doubts.

Holy crap! I am speechless!

 

[Jessica527]

Wow, the same thing just happened in a Pennsylvania school. Make sure that you talk to you child in a casual manner about it so that they don't freeze up. I hope that everything works out.

 

[happygirl]

 

[Mermaid02]

Wow.

 

[dislaney]

Scary! And not the kind of letter you want to be receiving from your child's school!

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

So sorry and sad for all.
Hope the school brings in an additional support team for any of the kids/faculty that need to "talk".

 

[twinglesmome]

It is possible that is related to something/someone outside of the school, but still Unfortunately, situations such as this are becoming more common

 

[wvjules]

I found more on our local news website.

http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/displayBreaking.htm?StoryID=118787

A Frederick County sheriff's deputy who served as a school resource officer at Walkersville High School was arrested Wednesday and charged with several offenses related to having sex with a 14-year-old girl.
Sam A. Bowman, 46, of New Market is charged with child sex abuse as well as a fourth-degree sex offense.

The Frederick County Bureau of Investigations began an investigation Tuesday after Child Protective Services contacted the sheriff's office with allegations from a third party about a deputy having sex with a Thurmont girl, the sheriff's office said.

The investigation revealed that Bowman drove the girl home after school March 9 and engaged in sexual contact with her while her parents were not home.

An investigation is continuing to determine if any similar incidents occurred. Bowman has been suspended without pay.

 

[dngnb8]

Not sure if this is a good place but

There are organize groups that disperse materials for pedophiles. This material educates them in how to get jobs that put them in contact with children. It is important to distinguish that this isnt a gender of child preference issue, but an age child issue. When I volunteered at the Boys and Girls Club, (this was in the early 90's) we were informed of a brochure from a group called NMBLA. It had information on tests, application etc on how to be a volunteer with Boys Clubs, Boy Scouts etc. The number one "profession" of choice was Catholic Priest.

The idea is to be in a position of trust, so people dont suspect.

 

[sam_gordon]

Our area HS had a secretary arrested a month or so ago for having some kind of sexual relations with boys at the school.

 

[Mkrop]

Not sure if this is a good place but

There are organize groups that disperse materials for pedophiles. This material educates them in how to get jobs that put them in contact with children. It is important to distinguish that this isnt a gender of child preference issue, but an age child issue. When I volunteered at the Boys and Girls Club, (this was in the early 90's) we were informed of a brochure from a group called NMBLA. It had information on tests, application etc on how to be a volunteer with Boys Clubs, Boy Scouts etc. The number one "profession" of choice was Catholic Priest.

The idea is to be in a position of trust, so people dont suspect.

I have always suspected that there was an underground movement with these types of criminals. Pre internet days I am sure it was harder to disperse it but I am sure they did. Too much concentration in certain areas like the priesthood not to be.

 

[dngnb8]

Our area HS had a secretary arrested a month or so ago for having some kind of sexual relations with boys at the school.

Most people knee jerk to the Males. If you have a child who plays an MMOG, Massive Multiplayer Online Game, Cougars are everywhere in these games. They pray on the geeky crowd who have raging hormones & little experience with the opposite sex.

 

[disneybound2010]

Sadly, that's not the first time there's been an adult at Walkersville in trouble for that. I'm starting to wonder how closely MD schools screen their employees

 

[dngnb8]

Sadly, that's not the first time there's been an adult at Walkersville in trouble for that. I'm starting to wonder how closely MD schools screen their employees

Many of these people dont have records.

 

[AshleyW]

Sadly, that's not the first time there's been an adult at Walkersville in trouble for that. I'm starting to wonder how closely MD schools screen their employees

This person wasn't actually an MD school employee. He was a school resource officer - a police officer employed by the city (or county, it sounds like) that is assigned to the school. I'm sure the school doesn't have a say in who their officer is - I know ours don't around here.

 

[disneybound2010]

Many of these people dont have records.

That's true.

For so many other jobs, people are required to go through psych evals and threat assessments(heck my DH needed one to be able to fuel airplanes) yet something as important as the well being of our children and all the potential employee needs is a shiny degree and no record as of that moment.

 

[wvjules]

It is heartbreaking to me that it seems like NO ONE can be trusted anymore. He was an officer, in a school, for crying out loud. I'm sure they probably did a background check and he passed.

DD called when she got home from school. She said that he seemed like a normal guy. Then she added "that's disgusting".

It would be so much easier if creeps actually looks like creepy.



disneybound, what else happened at WHS?

 

[mdsoccermom]

Wow. I live in New Market where he's from. I wonder where he lives.

 

[disneybound2010]

It is heartbreaking to me that it seems like NO ONE can be trusted anymore. He was an officer, in a school, for crying out loud. I'm sure they probably did a background check and he passed.

DD called when she got home from school. She said that he seemed like a normal guy. Then she added "that's disgusting".

It would be so much easier if creeps actually looks like creepy.



disneybound, what else happened at WHS?

Sent you a PM.

 

[Mandyjg20]

people like that make me sick to my stomach. I wish we could make these people sterile and have them all live in their own community with no one from the outside allowed in.