Gentry Police Investigating Reported Abuse Involving School Employee
By: Marissa Stevens
Updated: May 7, 2012
The Gentry Police Department is currently investigating several reports of abuse involving a middle school employee.
According to Chief Keith Smith, several parents have filed complaints in reference to one male employee abusing their children.
Smith says he cannot confirm what type of abuse, but says the complaints involve 6th grade boys and girls, between the ages of 12 and 13.
Chief Smith says the department is still conducting interviews with parents and school officials.
The Gentry Police Department is also working with the Department of Human Services.
"It's just kind of shocking to hear something like that," says Rene Davala, a parent of two kids in the Gentry School District.
Gentry police say a middle school employee--accused of abusing students.
"That's the last thing you would think is a teacher being that way," says Davala.
Police Chief Keith smith says several parents have filed complaints - all accusing one male employee of abusing their children.
And in this small town, parents are upset.
"It's kind of sickening if you think about it, I couldn't think about something like that happening to my kids its just sickening," says Davala.
Detectives would not say what kind of abuse is involved, but they did tell KNWA the students are in 6th grade, both boys and girls between the ages of 12 and 13.
Some students say they heard about the suspected abuse during class.
And now, those accusations have stunned this tight knit community.
"This is supposed to be a small peaceful town especially some place like here and this is the last thing you would think something like that," says Davala.
We will have the latest on this story, coming up tonight on KNWA and Fox News Edge.
According to Chief Keith Smith, several parents have filed complaints in reference to one male employee abusing their children.
Smith says he cannot confirm what type of abuse, but says the complaints involve 6th grade boys and girls, between the ages of 12 and 13.
Chief Smith says the department is still conducting interviews with parents and school officials.
The Gentry Police Department is also working with the Department of Human Services.
"It's just kind of shocking to hear something like that," says Rene Davala, a parent of two kids in the Gentry School District.
Gentry police say a middle school employee--accused of abusing students.
"That's the last thing you would think is a teacher being that way," says Davala.
Police Chief Keith smith says several parents have filed complaints - all accusing one male employee of abusing their children.
And in this small town, parents are upset.
"It's kind of sickening if you think about it, I couldn't think about something like that happening to my kids its just sickening," says Davala.
Detectives would not say what kind of abuse is involved, but they did tell KNWA the students are in 6th grade, both boys and girls between the ages of 12 and 13.
Some students say they heard about the suspected abuse during class.
And now, those accusations have stunned this tight knit community.
"This is supposed to be a small peaceful town especially some place like here and this is the last thing you would think something like that," says Davala.
We will have the latest on this story, coming up tonight on KNWA and Fox News Edge.
