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Santa Fe Art Teacher Confesses to Inappropriately Touching Student

By Chelo Rivera and Candace Hopkins
KRQE
January 21, 2016

http://krqe.com/2016/01/21/santa-fe-art-teacher-confesses-to-inappropriately-touching-student/

A Santa Fe art teacher was arrested and charged after confessing that he inappropriately touched a 6-year-old student.

The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office says Aaron Dean Chavez was taken into custody Wednesday. Chavez is a teacher at Santo Nino Regional Catholic School.

It was Saturday morning when the Santa Fe Sheriff’s office says the little girl her parents had an alarming conversation. It started with a simple statement to the child’s mother about missing an old teacher.

“The little girl tells her mother that the reason that she wants her old arts teacher back is because the teacher that was there is making her feel uncomfortable,” said Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Juan Rios.

With more pressing officials say the girl explained why.

Rios said, “He told her to tuck her shirt in but he was actually adamant about tucking her shirt in himself.”

That’s when the child says Chavez touched her genitals and buttocks. The girl says it had happened one other time previously as well.

Chavez was questioned by deputies Wednesday. At first he told them he did nothing wrong.

“He initially denied there was any inappropriate contact with the child but as officers proceeded with questioning him, he basically confessed,” said Rios.

Officials say he admitted to tucking in the girl’s shirt and touched her buttocks but denied touching her genitals. In the probable cause statement it says “he admitted it was quick and immediately knew what he had done was wrong.”

Chavez has been charged with one count of criminal sexual contact of a minor. The girl told deputies the fondling happened during class, during a painting lesson.

Chavez was booked into the Santa Fe County Detention Center.

The school released the following information Thursday:

On Friday, January 15, 2016 an allegation of misconduct on the part of a teacher was brought to the attention of the principal of Santo Nino Regional Catholic School located in Santa Fe. The Catholic Schools Office and the Victim’s Assistance and Safe Environment Office of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe were notified immediately and the teacher was immediately placed on administrative leave. A second allegation was received on Saturday, January 16, 2016.

The Victim’s Assistance and Safe Environment Coordinator assisted with both investigations. The Archdiocese of Santa Fe is working cooperatively with the Santa Fe Sheriff’s Department in order to ensure the protection of our children.

The Archdiocese of Santa Fe stands firm on its zero-tolerance policy regarding sexual misconduct. We pray for all who have been victims of the sad reality of sexual abuse.

 

 

 

 

 




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