Police: Employee Fondled Student At School
HARPER WOODS (WWJ) - A contracted employee at Harper Woods High School faces criminal charges for allegedly fondling a student.
The man was arrested Wednesday following an investigation that began earlier in the week.
Harper Woods Acting Police Chief Jim Burke said they are seeking second degree criminal sexual conduct charges from the Wayne County Prosecutors office.
"Due to the position that he has of authority over the person, the victim, the incident did occur on school grounds during school hours, that adds into the charges and that's why it's second degree criminal sexual conduct," said Burke.
Burke said they want to make sure that is the only incident.
"We're not aware of any other victims, but that doesn't mean that there aren't [any]," said Burke.
"Obviously, this is a very serious situation and we're working very closely with the prosecutor and we're gonna try and do the best we can to make sure there aren't any other victims," he said.
The employee, whose name has not yet been released, is now on leave as the investigation continues. The suspect's and the victim's ages have also not been released.
Superintendent Todd Biederwolf said the staff member was a security liaison, a contracted employee through a third-party company identified as Davidson-based EDUStaff. The staffer had been a district employee the year prior before he was hired by the company in the same capacity.
A letter to parents posted on the school district's website from Biederwolf said the victim was a student at the high school and administrators have no reason to believe "other students or other schools are directly impacted."
