Monday, February 29, 2016

UPDATED::Santa Fe art teacher confesses to inappropriately touching student | KRQE News 13

UPDATE::  Teacher pleads not guilty to molesting students 
Aaron Chavez, a Catholic elementary school teacher accused of molesting five students since 2007, entered a not-guilty plea at his arraignment Monday morning in state District Court.
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Four other alleged victims — including an 8-year-old and two teenagers who were in Chavez’s class as first graders — have since come forward saying he also inappropriately touched them.
UPDATE::  Police seize Santa Fe archdiocese files in molestation case
Authorities have seized records from the Archdiocese of Santa Fe as part of an investigation into claims that a Catholic school teacher inappropriately touched female students.

The New Mexican reports that Santo Nino Regional Catholic School art teacher Aaron Chavez has been charged with five counts of sexually touching young girls during classes.


State Police start internal investigation after arrest of accused child molester

State Police have started an internal investigation following the arrest of an art teacher, who had been investigated by their officers years ago.

State Police got a complaint against Aaron Chavez in 2012, accusing him of touching a student at Santo Nino Catholic School where he works. But State Police say investigators never took action and they don’t know why.


 Aaron Chavez


UPDATE:: Mother of alleged victim: Police declined to press charges against teacher
A Catholic school teacher accused of fondling young students is in even deeper trouble.

He’s been hit with another round of charges, accused of molesting four more students.


KRQE News 13 first told you about 47-year-old Aaron Chavez two weeks ago. He was arrested after a 6-year-old at Santo Nino Catholic School said he had touched her inappropriately. That student told her mom her art teacher was making her uncomfortable. She later claimed Chavez touched her genitals and buttocks while tucking in her shirt during an art class. News of his arrest led to a bigger case.

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Another child in the complaint claims she had numerous encounters of a sexual nature with Chavez in 2007. She and her mother say they reported those allegations to the school,  the Archdiocese of Santa Fe and the State Police. That alleged victim says the State Police declined to press charges against Chavez and that the Archdiocese told her they investigated her claim but that they were unable to substantiate it.
See also::  Did State Police know about abuse allegations against Santa Fe teacher?
“Based on information we recently received from the Santa Fe County’s Sheriff’s Office, we have opened an internal investigation to find out why no further action was taken. Again, we take this very seriously and any missteps on our part may result in disciplinary action. The New Mexico State Police is fully cooperating with the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office on the investigation into the allegations against Mr. Chavez in this case.”
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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.
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“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.

Santa Fe art teacher confesses to inappropriately touching student | KRQE News 13

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