Email from DD's principal

[rchristiansen]

That happened at DD's school last year - it was the gym teacher. Although the information was sent out even more urgent than just an email. We all got those "alert" phone calls in the middle of the day about a breaking news story.

Everyone (well except me, I always knew this guy was a little off - my intuition is always correct) loved this teacher. I heard he was actually arrested at the school right after the school day ended and some of the kids who were in the after school day car witnessed it. During all of this, kids started asking questions like "How do you go to jail" or "how does someone get arrested..." and I know they all got the playground version of sex-ed because some moronic parents chose to describe all the details to their 1st graders. Jeesh. We chose to describe it as he "dated" a middle schooler and that grown ups aren't supposed to date kids. That was shocking enough for DD at that time, but the next day she heard the whole story. Now, a year later, I would provide more info now that DD knows more, but at the time I was surprised how many 6 and 7 year olds KNEW the details.

It pretty much freaked out all the kids for a while.

He's is now in jail.

 

[moburg]

Am I the only one who is concerned that the school chose to send this letter home with the kids, and did not mail it or some how get the message directly to the parents??

 

[wvjules]

Am I the only one who is concerned that the school chose to send this letter home with the kids, and did not mail it or some how get the message directly to the parents??

The parents got an email. The teachers told the students about it at school.

 

[luvmy3]

Am I the only one who is concerned that the school chose to send this letter home with the kids, and did not mail it or some how get the message directly to the parents??

Even if thats what happened I wouldn't be concerned. I am assuming that these kids are middle or highschool students.


Stories like this make me sick, sadly there is always something like this happening

 

[rchristiansen]

I feel your shock and disgust, as we went through it last year.

The parents got an email. The teachers told the students about it at school.

Were they older kids?

DD's school went through 4th grade. So they said they would NOT be telling the kids, but would handle it appropriately for the kid's age if they child broached the subject the next day.

They also wanted to make sure they send the information via the phone alerts and email during the day, so the parents would know about it before the kids got home. They also didn't put the actual information in the email or phone call - they just told just that a "media event" involving our school district would be publicized soon. That made for an interesting couple of hours wondering and worrying, because we had no idea what it was that morning --- It aired on the noon news that day.

 

[wvjules]

It's a high school so it is older kids. 14 and up?

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

It is an absolutely disgusting thing that happened. I must admit though that the OP's school handled the situation in a very professional manner. Parent were notified prior to their children coming home so they could process it and handle it with their child as they see fit. Telling the kids in the classroom gives them a little security blanket that all the kids are their to comfort each other and the teachers should have made it aware that counseling is available, and if the kids chose so they would most likely not feel out of place doing so.

Lastly, I live in a suburban area. The number of reports of teachers/administrators and staff getting caught is very high. Which leads me to the most important parenting tool you can use, open communication with your children. Even if it costs an ice cream that you really didn't plan on buying, or a trip to the mall. Do what you can to keep your child talking. And make sure you are always listening, no matter how busy you are or how important that other crisis seems.

 

[rchristiansen]

It's a high school so it is older kids. 14 and up?

Yeah, then it makes sense to tell the kids. I wish you well and the discussions you have with your DD daughter tonight about it. Since she's older it should be every-so-slightly less uncomfortable.

I remember, though, being really ticked at the parents that let their 1st graders watch the news about it and then their kid sharing it with my kid. I know that kids talk on the playground; I'm not ignorant to that. But the info sent by our school recommended not letting the kids see the news. Hmph.


You know what is really disgusting about all of this - is the fact that schools nowadays actually need to have a policy about how to deal with this kind of news. Sad.

 

[disneychic2]

Child abuse is one of the most disgusting crimes known to man! But keep in mind that the officer has been accused of a crime. I believe he is innocent until proven guilty. Was he caught red handed or did someone just accuse him?

My ex was a teacher in a middle school and they cautioned him to never be alone in his classroom with a student, male or female. It was often difficult b/c they would come into his classroom at lunch and want to talk. He would immediately walk to the hallway and talk to them there or send them on their way. So many times these young girls (usually girls) would accuse a teacher or aide of doing something for whatever reason. Hence the warning to my ex and all the other teachers.

So, yes, if this man did do this, no punishment is too severe. But allow that he has not had his day in court yet, so lets just pray for everyone involved. It's a real tragedy in so many ways.

 

[wvjules]

Child abuse is one of the most disgusting crimes known to man! But keep in mind that the officer has been accused of a crime. I believe he is innocent until proven guilty. Was he caught red handed or did someone just accuse him?

My ex was a teacher in a middle school and they cautioned him to never be alone in his classroom with a student, male or female. It was often difficult b/c they would come into his classroom at lunch and want to talk. He would immediately walk to the hallway and talk to them there or send them on their way. So many times these young girls (usually girls) would accuse a teacher or aide of doing something for whatever reason. Hence the warning to my ex and all the other teachers.

So, yes, if this man did do this, no punishment is too severe. But allow that he has not had his day in court yet, so lets just pray for everyone involved. It's a real tragedy in so many ways.

That only applies to a court of law, court of public opinion not so much.

 

[rie'smom]

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 call bull on the profession of choice. You mean a man will go to college and seminary for 8 years just to molest kids? It's easier to become a janitor at a kid's school or a boy scout troop leader. In our neighborhood it turned out to be the swim coach.

Protestant ministers have asked why this problem has not been exposed in their faiths to the degree that it has been within the Catholic Church.

Do some research. Here is an interesting article:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/valerie-tarico/the-protestant-clergy-sex_b_740853.html

There are hundreds of articles in the same vein.

BTW, I just read through the NMBLA website and nowhere did I see anything about the priesthood being the profession of choice. Perhaps your literature was just Catholic bashing.

Yes, there has been a problem in the Catholic Church and it sickens me as a survivor of childhood sexual abuse. There is not a hell hot enough for any person who abuses children be they Catholic, Protestant, Jewish or any other faith.

 

[Disney Doll]

My ex was a teacher in a middle school and they cautioned him to never be alone in his classroom with a student, male or female. It was often difficult b/c they would come into his classroom at lunch and want to talk. He would immediately walk to the hallway and talk to them there or send them on their way. So many times these young girls (usually girls) would accuse a teacher or aide of doing something for whatever reason. Hence the warning to my ex and all the other teachers.

This is not a totally new occurrence. I recall back in 1980 I was a senior in high school & on a school trip to Canada. The whole group was at dinner in the hotel when I realized that I had forgotten something in my room. I went to one of the chaperoning teachers and told them I was going to run back up to my room for a minute, they said fine. I did so, and was on my way back down to dinner. The elevator door opened and there was my English teacher lying face down in the elevator. I thought she had fainted or was somehow sick until I got close enough to realize that she was passed out drunk. I stopped the elevator and went to the room on that floor where I knew one of the teacher chaperones was. It so happened that he was one of the younger teachers. I knocked on his door and watched his face go white when he opened it. I am sure he was thinking "oh God what's she doing here and there's no one around and it's a hotel" and so forth. I quickly told him that I thought Mrs. SoandSo was "sick" as she was in the elevator. I could actually see the relief on his face and he ran to the elevator and helped her to her room. He also told me I wa snot to speak of finding her "sick" to any of my friends. And you know what, I felt sorry for her, so I never did.

But I am quite sure that my 18 year old self appearing at the hotel room door of his probably 25 year old self gave him cause for some alarm, albeit briefly.

 

[Mkrop]

I call bull on the profession of choice. You mean a man will go to college and seminary for 8 years just to molest kids? It's easier to become a janitor at a kid's school or a boy scout troop leader. In our neighborhood it turned out to be the swim coach.

Protestant ministers have asked why this problem has not been exposed in their faiths to the degree that it has been within the Catholic Church.

Do some research. Here is an interesting article:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/valerie-tarico/the-protestant-clergy-sex_b_740853.html

There are hundreds of articles in the same vein.

BTW, I just read through the NMBLA website and nowhere did I see anything about the priesthood being the profession of choice. Perhaps your literature was just Catholic bashing.

Yes, there has been a problem in the Catholic Church and it sickens me as a survivor of childhood sexual abuse. There is not a hell hot enough for any person who abuses children be they Catholic, Protestant, Jewish or any other faith.

Interesting article.

As a Catholic myself, I do believe the Catholic Church makes better press, has deep pockets, and people are quick to accuse bc of the celibacy angle. And I do think that this problems is in other faiths and ours has just been the focus of the press.

But I still have always thought that there was some underground movement, too many in one place, the priesthood.

The only thing that bothers me to some degree, what if these people are not guilty. Their life is destroyed by the court of public opinion, even if the courts find them innocent. I know this is an adult case but I never knew the final outcome of the Duke Lacrosse, turns out she lied about the rapes.

Anyway if they are guilty of harming a child, then the should be FRIED!

 

[LuvOrlando]

So sad to hear that another child has joined the ranks. The ONLY good that comes out of these stories is that little by little people are waking up to realize abusive people do not wear a special uniform that makes them stand out, some are very good liars and that makes it more tolerable to accept that this sort of this is ONLY the fault of the criminal... not bad parents and not bad kids.

My heart aches every day for the kids who have to live with this

The people who put themselves in positions where they have access to children just so they can do harm are the most disgusting creatures on this planet to me. It's no accident that Dante's Inferno included betrayers in the final worst circle

 

[Rora]

Wow.

As always when this thing comes out, it's a scary reality.

 

[wvjules]

DD said they all knew about it before the teachers formally told them. She also said the girl was at school yesterday when the announcement was made. Hopefully that means that she has a good support system and great group of friends surrounding her while there. She is a freshman.

The news reported that he was released on $75,000 bond.

 

[Disney Doll]

We also had a long-married teacher with 5 children leave his wife for a student when I was in high school.

Talk about SCANDAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[wvjules]

More info...sounds like it possibly wasn't the only time and was consentual (as consentual as sex between a 14 year old and 46 year old can be).

Deputy charged with Sex abuse

A deputy with the Frederick County Sheriff's Office was arrested Wednesday and charged with having sexual contact with a 14-year-old girl who attends the school where he worked as a resource officer.
Sam Allen Bowman, 46, of New Market, was assigned to Walkersville High School. According to charging documents filed in Frederick County District Court, Bowman engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a ninth-grade student, which included having sexual contact with her in his patrol car and in the girl's home.

The two also had frequent contact during the school day, including eating lunch together, the documents stated. Bowman also drove the girl home on three separate occasions, including on March 9, when the sexual contact allegedly took place. According to the documents, school officials approached the girl on March 15 with concerns about her relationship with Bowman, and told her she could no longer eat lunch with him or accept rides from him. Officials also confronted Bowman, but he never reported the conversation to his superiors, the documents state.

Detectives from the Frederick County Bureau of Investigation were contacted Monday by Child Protective Services and asked to assist with an investigation of possible child sex abuse involving a sheriff's deputy.

A CPS agent had interviewed the student earlier that day and concluded that she was not being honest about her relationship with Bowman. The girl acknowledged having frequent contact with Bowman but denied anything sexual occurred. She also acknowledged that rumors had been going around the school that the two were having sex. During a second interview with the CPS agent and an FCBI investigator on Wednesday, the girl said she engaged in sexual activity with Bowman on March 9 that began in his cruiser and moved to her bedroom, the documents stated.

According to the documents, the girl also told investigators that her mother had given her permission to have Bowman in the house to play a video game with her the day after the alleged sexual contact.

She said the two planned on having sex after he drove her home on March 14, but they didn't because her sister was home when they got there, the documents state.

Bowman was brought in for questioning Wednesday and, according to the documents, acknowledged to investigators that he had regular contact with the girl, including having lunch with her and driving her home. But he denied any sexual contact, and told investigators that he had gone into the girl's bedroom because he suspected she was inhaling paint fumes and wanted to check the room for evidence.

Logs taken from the on-board computer in Bowman's cruiser confirmed the dates and times Bowman was at the girl's house, the documents stated.

Sheriff Chuck Jenkins said he was shocked by the allegations and subsequent charges against Bowman. He said an internal investigation is being conducted concurrent with the criminal investigation.

"The shocking part is that this is a person who was hired as a law enforcement officer, and in this case someone who was trusted to protect students in the school system," Jenkins said.

Jenkins said a thorough background check of Bowman was conducted before he was hired by the sheriff's office in August 2010, despite his years of service with the Frederick Police Department, where he retired as a corporal.

"He went through the same background process as all our applicants and candidates," he said.

Bowman, who was released from the Frederick County Adult Detention Center after posting $75,000 bail, has been suspended without pay. Jenkins said the charges alone could result in Bowman being terminated, but it was too early to speculate about what might happen.

"There is a process, and we're going to uphold the process," Jenkins said.

There are no plans to hand over the investigation to another agency, Jenkins said. The Frederick County Bureau of Investigation is made up of investigators from the sheriff's office and Maryland State Police.

"I'm confident that they are going to do a thorough investigation," Jenkins said. "I'm not going to farm this out."

Walkersville Principal Michael Concepcion sent out a letter to parents in the form of an email Thursday, and teachers were instructed to share the news with students as they passed out a copy of the letter.

"It can be distressing and confusing for young people when trusted adults are accused of violating that trust," the letter reads in part. "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."

Officials at Walkersville High School said all media inquiries into the matter were being referred to the sheriff's office. Bowman could not be reached for comment.

I can't believe the school knew they had been eating lunch together and never questioned it until now.

 

[mdsoccermom]

the girl also told investigators that her mother had given her permission to have Bowman in the house to play a video game with her the day after the alleged sexual contact

WTH?!?!?!?!

What mother in her right mind would say "hey, let's have this 46 year old man come over for some video games. That's a great idea!!"

 

[punkin]

I can't believe the school knew they had been eating lunch together and never questioned it until now.

That doesn't necessarily mean anything. I know my DD12 eats lunch with teachers occasionally. She hates the lunch room and she likes her drama teacher particularly. There are always kids eating lunch with her.

BTW, I actually discussed this with DD, just to make her aware that not everyone who seems friendly is safe to be around.