Leavenworth elementary school teacher accused of indecency with a child arrested: Police
A Leavenworth United School District employee was arrested Thursday on charges of aggravated indecent civil liberties with a child, according to the Leavenworth Police Department.
Jerome Charles Riscovallez, 54, was taken into custody around 1 p.m. after being accused of “inappropriate conduct with a minor,” according to LPD Chief Pat Kitchens. Police began investigating Riscovallez on Tuesday after allegations against him were brought to the department, Kitchens said.
Leavenworth USD 453 could not be reached immediately Thursday for comment. However, in an email to district staff and families, district officials confirmed that Riscovallez had been a STEM teacher at Henry Leavenworth Elementary School.
Riscovallez was placed on administrative leave on Feb. 14 and banned from all USD 453 properties as a human resources investigation began, district officials wrote in the email. After his arrest Thursday, the USD 453 school board held two special meetings and officially terminated Riscovallez’ employment, according to the email.
Riscovallez was hired by USD 453 in August 2018, according to the email. As of Thursday afternoon, Riscovallez was not listed on the public USD 453 staff directory.
Several Henry Leavenworth parents have taken to social media this week with allegations that their children have had unsafe interactions with Riscovallez. USD 453 asks that anyone with additional information or further allegations reach out directly to the Leavenworth Police Department at 913-651-2260.
The Leavenworth Atchison Child Advocacy Center recommends that parents speak to their children about “body safety,” including how to identify boundaries, say “no” to inappropriate touch and find safe adults to notify if needed, Kitchens said in a statement Thursday.
The CAC does not recommend parents share details about allegations against Riscovallez directly with young children, but asks that they respond calmly and notify law enforcement if children bring up similar interactions or allegations on their own.
“Parents should ask simple, open-ended questions like, ’Has anything made you feel unsafe or uncomfortable at school?’ and allow their child to do the talking,” the CAC wrote Thursday. “It is important to reassure children that they are not in trouble and will never be in trouble for sharing their feelings or experiences.”
Riscovallez is being held in the Leavenworth County Jail, where he is not eligible for bond. His first appearance in Leavenworth County Court is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 28.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
