Wednesday, December 14, 2011

On Tuesday, Salina Police arrested a 16-year-old boy in connection to sexual allegations that involve six high school girls.

"We had a report from one of the victims given to our School Resource Officer that there was some inappropriate sexual comments made to her at school," said Lt. Scott Siemsen of Salina Police.

The full-time uniformed officer started investigating the possibility of more than one sexual assault case at Salina Central High School.

"The information was passed on to the School Resource Officer, who did some investigating into it and found the other allegations," said Siemsen.

The allegations involve six high school girls under the age of 16. Officers said a 16-year-old boy made sexual comments and solicitations both on and off campus, including instances at Kenwood Park and Oakdale Park in Salina. The allegations date back to June and August of this year.

The boy is behind bar on one count of kidnapping, one count of aggravated criminal sodomy, four counts of indecent solicitation of a minor, two counts of indecent liberties with a minor, and two counts of sexual battery.

School officials would not comment on the story but made an official statement from the district.

"USD 305 investigates all allegations of harassment of any kind. Our policies and procedures are created and carried out to support a safe learning environment for all students," said Jennifer Bradford-Vernon, USD 305 Public Information Coordinator.

Salina Police said the boy will go through the court process and will likely be charged with those counts.

If schools do not have an SRO available, there is a toll-free number that students and parents can call to report school violence, at 1-877-626-8203.