You kids at school...are they at risk?

I learned something the other day that really shocked me about our kids and the schools they attend.

Let me start off by saying this, you watch on TV or read about it in the paper quite often, how a teacher at this or that school was caught for having sex with a student. You also see or read the same type of thing regarding a teacher was was caught at a certain school for sexual encounters with students in addition to being kicked out of a previous school for similar activities a few years before but was never totally removed fr the teaching system. This upsets me greatly!

However, here is what I cannot understand...To become a teacher and work with children you must be finger printed and have a background check done. OK great!

To go along with children on field trips as a parent you must be finger printed as well. OK great!

To walk into the classroom and help kids with classroom work etc. you DO NOT have to have any background checks done nor any finger printing! ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!

How in the world can a school, sho is supposed to be protecting your kids allow someone to come in to the classroom and help your kids when they have no idea about who they are! So just because you see me drop my kids off everyday and I say hello and goodbye and you think I'm a nice person it's OK to let me come in and be around everyone's kids!? Insane!

It is my opinion that the school boards need to adopt a policy that clearly states that ANYONE who will be in contact with your children MUST be finger printed and have a background check performed either at the expense of the interested parent or the school/county. This would greatly reduce the risk of your kids being molested or prayed upon by people you do not know.

The time where people stuck their head in the sand and said "that doesn't happen in my town" is over! This is a different day and age where if you are not aware of what is going on around you, you will pay a price. If you continue to think people are all honest and trust worthy you may finally open your eyes and be horrified that you didn't see it sooner.

Finally, please do not think that the police will be of any help to you when you file a claim or report about your child possibly being a victim. The police will not even return your calls in most cases. They will tell you they have only a few officers in that sex crimes unit and are very busy. For some reason a report about children touching other children, which is a result from those said children being touched by an adult most often, is not a priority to them. Nor would it be if you had suspicion about an over eager parent who likes to volunteer. Just something to think about...

Former CPS worker, David Wigton, sentenced on child molestation charges

A former Child Protective Services worker has been sentenced for molesting a young child.

David Wigton will serve 10 year in prison with lifetime probation. In addition, he will have to register as sex offender.

Investigators said Wigton not only molested a 4-year-old girl who is related to him, but he also provided pornography to other underage family members.

Wigton, 58, worked with CPS for more than 20 years.

Police arrested Wigton on April 30, 2008. He eventually pleaded guilty to three felony charges.

Valley male teacher accused of molesting students arrested

This morning Deputy U.S. Marshals in Oklahoma captured accused child molester Bobby Kennedy, 29, at a residence in Lawton, OK.

Deputy U.S. Marshals began hunting for Kennedy in March 2006, at the request of the Apache Junction Police Department. The U.S. Marshals and the Apache Junction Police Department Criminal Investigation Division continued to work together developing leads regarding the whereabouts of Kennedy. Recently, Deputy U.S. Marshals from Phoenix developed significant information that Kennedy was residing in Lawton, OK with his wife and small child. This information was relayed to Deputies in Oklahoma who immediately established surveillance on the residence and arrested Kennedy a short time later.

In 2005 an arrest warrant was issued by the Pinal County Superior Court after Kennedy failed to appear for a court hearing. Kennedy, who was employed as a teacher and youth pastor at the Morning Star Academy Charter School, had been arrested by the Apache Junction Police Department after allegations were made that he molested students at the Morning Star Academy. Kennedy was subsequently released on bond and was believed to have fled the Phoenix area shortly thereafter. During the course of the fugitive investigation Deputies were able to determine that Kennedy had fled to southern California before rejoining his wife and child, at which time they moved to Lawton, OK.

United States Marshal David Gonzales praised the work of Deputies and law enforcement officers adding, "The U.S. Marshals, as well as our state and local partners, will continue to use every available resource to hunt down those who prey upon our children."

Investigators from the Apache Junction Police Department are coordinating with the U.S. Marshals regarding additional investigative leads, and will be pursuing additional charges on co-conspirators.

This arrest was a direct result of the investigative efforts between the U.S. Marshals, Apache Junction Police Department, and the Arizona Department of Public Safety.