Sacramento police investigating report of sexual assault involving John F. Kennedy High employee, student
SACRAMENTO - Police in Sacramento are investigating allegations of sexual misconduct at John F. Kennedy High School.
Just after 10:30 a.m. Friday, the Sacramento Police Department responded to the school's campus, following a report of a sexual assault involving a school employee and a student.
"There were four patrol cars parked right in front of the school," said Nakita Price, a parent who said she was dropping her daughter off at school at the time.
Officers at the scene conducted a preliminary investigation into the matter and turned the case over to detectives with the department's Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Unit.
In a statement, the Sacramento City Unified School District said they are aware of the investigation. The district also noted that the person involved was a 'substitute employee' who was not assigned to classroom duties.
"The person is no longer employed by the District and we are working closely with law enforcement on this matter to ensure the continued safety and wellbeing of students and staff," the district wrote.
"They're still kids. They deserve to come to a place where they can learn and be safe," said Price.
Price and other parents got an email from the school just before 3 p.m. Friday afternoon alerting them to the investigation.
"It does make me more scared because who is taking control of this and what's really going on?" asked Price.
The school has not named the former staff member or released his job title, but several students told CBS13 that they know exactly who it is, some saying their teachers told them.
"I'd see him all the time walking around so I never thought it was weird for him to say hi, or talk to me, because most staff members do," said Arabella Bergstedt, a junior.
Students told CBS13 that this staff member did some work around the school's campus; someone they're surprised is facing these allegations.
"I was shocked because I was pretty cool with this guy. He was a funny guy," said Leonardo Davila, a senior. "Later on I started seeing he was talking a little too much with girls."
Female students say they now have their guard up on campus.
"It makes me more protective, I want to keep all my friends close. I wouldn't want anything to happen to them," said Arabella Bergstedt, a junior. "He was very friendly with me. And it just scared me."
Parents are calling for transparency from them district, frustrated they weren't made aware of the investigation sooner.
"But at the same time they want us to believe our kids are safe. I don't know what to believe," said Price.
As of now, no arrests have been made, but the Sacramento Police Dept. investigation remains active.
Police have not confirmed if the student allegedly involved was a minor.