A John Still Elementary School teacher is on paid administrative leave after two female students alleged that he sexually assaulted them in separate incidents, officials said Wednesday.
Police are investigating the claims, each of which involves assault that allegedly occurred on campus during school hours in the fall, said Officer Konrad Von Schoech, a department spokesman.
The physical education teacher, a 10-year employee with the Sacramento City Unified School District, was removed from the school in February when police officers came to John Still while investigating the first claim, said district spokeswoman Maria Lopez.
Police say the allegation was brought forward at the beginning of February. Lopez said school officials removed the teacher immediately.
The first alleged victim, a 10-year-old student at John Still, alleges that the teacher raped her on multiple occasions in September, Von Schoech said.
Police forwarded the findings of their investigation to the District Attorney's Office, Von Schoech said, but then took the case back for further investigation after a second girl came forward in May.
That alleged victim, a 7-year-old John Still student, alleges the teacher touched her inappropriately once in October or November, Von Schoech said.
Because the allegations are similar and involve the same teacher, the cases are being investigated together, according to police.
Lopez said the teacher will remain on paid administrative leave at least until both the police and the school district investigations are concluded. If arrested, the teacher could face punishment "up to and including termination," said Mary Shelton, an associate superintendent.
In California, teachers typically are not fired from their jobs until after they are convicted of a crime. Their credential, however, can be suspended when they are charged with certain crimes, such as child molestation. Upon conviction, credentials are revoked.
Police say they are especially disturbed by the 10-year-old's claims because she has a history of sexual assault.
Her stepfather was arrested in December after police verified what the girl had told them in early September – that her stepfather had been molesting her for a month, said Sgt. Jim Lassen, head of the Police Department's child sexual assault and child abuse unit.
Shortly thereafter she allegedly was assaulted by the PE teacher.
"This little girl's been through hell," Lassen said.
Two of his four detectives are assigned to the case. He said the timing of the girl's alleged second assault is "odd" but not unheard of.
Lassen also said the second girl's claim could significantly impact the investigation.
"With the other victim, it really does make a big difference," Lassen said. "It really changes things, especially if we find other victims."
Call The Bee's Kim Minugh, (916) 321-1038.
