Alleged sex misconduct involving an elementary school student investigated in Whittier

Officials are investigating an allegation of sexual misconduct by a student at an elementary school in Whittier.

Whittier Police said they are handling the investigation into the alleged incident. Capt. Mike Davis declined to reveal details of the allegation but said it occurred sometime between Sept. 4 and 7. He said the victim and suspect are students at Jordan Elementary School.

The Lowell Joint School District sent an email to parents of Jordan Elementary School on Tuesday night about an alleged sexual misconduct incident committed by a student on the school’s campus.

“It is in that spirit that I want to inform the Jordan Family that on the evening of September 12, 2018, the school principal was contacted by a parent regarding an alleged incident involving the possible sexual misconduct by a student,” Superintendent Jim Coombs wrote in the email. “Early morning September 13th, the District followed our protocol by immediately contacting the Whittier Police Department, as well as Child Protective Services, to inform them of the allegations and to commence a full investigation by all proper authorities.”

Document: Click here to read the email

Davis said one of the parents reported the incident to police on Sept. 12 and police started the investigation the same day.

“We have an ongoing investigation but I can’t comment further, ” Davis said.

Earlier on Tuesday, Whittier police notified the district that police are “completing their ongoing investigation” and will update the district very soon.

Coombs said in the email that the district has been working closely with detectives as well as the parent of the alleged victim.

Coombs said over the phone that he was not able to comment on the incident since he did not want to interfere with the police  investigation and to preserve the confidentiality of minors.

Wednesday morning, parents gathered at Jordan Elementary for an impromptu meeting where Coombs further addressed the incident and investigation.

Since the reported incident took place on the school’s campus, Marikate Wissman, principal of Jordan Elementary School, sent a  separate email to parents Wednesday afternoon, highlighting procedures that students follow when using the school bathrooms.

“In response to the recent incident and an on-going effort to provide the safest possible environment for our students the following procedures for student bathroom use are effective immediately,” Wissman wrote in the email.

The email goes on to list five rules, such as students using a “buddy system” and the use of “bathroom log.”

Coombs said the procedures have been in place even before the alleged sexual misconduct incident, but said school officials are emphasizing them because of the incident.

“We’ve had some more additional folks to keep an eye. They’re going to be conscientious of it,” Coombs said, referring to teachers and adult staff at the school. “And there’s a heightened awareness.”

Coombs said in the letter that a psychologist has been made available to the family of the alleged victim during the investigation.

Principal Wissman could not be immediately reached for comment.

Staff Writer Ruby Gonzales contributed to this report.