Desert Arroyo students face charges of alleged sexual misconduct
by Kathleen Stinson

NORTH SCOTTSDALE – Scottsdale police said last week they intend to charge a third adolescent in connection with a sexual mis‑conduct incident that led to the arrest of two other Desert Arroyo Middle School boys.

Sgt. Mark Clark stated police arrested two 13‑year‑old male students in connection with alleged misconduct involving a series of acts which took place beginning in late August when the school year opened. One teen was arrested Oct. 17 and the other on Oct. 27.

“The crux of the investigation involves a series of acts of unwanted touching” of female students’  breasts and male students who exposed and touched their genitalia in public at school, Clark said.

Police said the incidents that led to the arrests involved 11 female victims 12 to 13 years old, all students at Desert Arroyo Middle School. The girls allege sex abuse, indecent exposure or molestation.

The charges filed against the suspects include sex abuse, molestation, public sexual indecency, indecent exposure, assault and, in at least one case, harassment, according to Clark. The department is not prepared to release the names of the suspects, and the names of the victims will not be released.

Missy Gross, president of the school’s Parent Teacher Organization, did not return calls placed by The Desert Advocate seeking comment.

Brian Kunkel, parent of a student attending the school, said in a phone interview last week, “I think the school handled it just fine. The kids (suspects) are gone, from what I understand, and it’s really not a topic anymore.”

Sgt. Clark related that the school first became aware of the situation when an incident involving a 13‑year‑old female student was reported to the nurse’s office. The student came to the office with a bruise on her breast and said a 13‑year‑old boy had hit her. The school resource officer from the police department then began investigating additional allegations of incidents involving the same and other suspects and victims.

All incidents are alleged to have taken place at Desert Arroyo either during or after school hours at a school‑sponsored study hall, according to Clark.

“We put together the stories from kids and had to sort through rumor” before establishing probable cause and making the arrests, Clark said.

The district sent out a letter to all parents on Oct. 17, the day the school reported the matter to   police, stating that an incident involving “inappropriate behavior” by a student toward other students had taken place on the campus. The letter notified parents of a town hall meeting which took place Oct. 19 to “address the importance of positive communication.”            

Initially, CCUSD spokeswoman Nedda Shafir said the district was not commenting because of privacy issues. However, on Tuesday the district held a press conference–but stated very little new information.

Dr. Tacy Ashby, district superintendent, stated at the conference, “a teacher was removed from a classroom and placed on leave with pay. At this time there has been no disciplinary action taken against the teacher, pending the results of the investigation.”

When The Desert Advocate asked Shafir later that day why the district placed the teacher on leave, she said again she could give no further information because of privacy issues. “We’re trying to be as up front and comprehensive as we can,” Shafir added.

Posted on the CCUSD Web site is the following information related to an Oct. 17 incident of inappropriate student behavior.

“Discipline has been handled as per district policy and state statutes. Desert Arroyo has instituted a ‘no public display of affection’ rule where students are to treat each other respectfully and appropriately at all times. Discussions have taken place regarding the importance of demonstrating the Character Counts attributes of Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, Citizenship.

“All staff members continue to ensure that students are closely supervised at all times. Students are encouraged to use the anonymous tip line on the Web site www.alertrecall.com  designed to empower students with the freedom to disseminate information about negative activities that are occurring on campus while keeping their identities confidential.”

Sgt. Clark advised Scottsdale police have turned the case over to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office juvenile division.

In Ashby’s statement Tuesday, she said the district is forming a Wellness 2007 Blue Ribbon Task Force Initiative to provide health, prevention and wellness information and to disseminate information about Alert Recall.com. She pointed out CCUSD is working on taking steps to ensure it is having open, honest communications with their students.

Reach the reporter at kathleen@thedesertadvocate.com.