DISD Substitute Gym Teacher Accused Of Fondling Students

DALLAS (CBS 11 NEWS) - Dallas Police are now leading a criminal probe into accusations that a substitute gym teacher may have touched some fifth graders inappropriately.

The claims come from students at George Peabody Elementary in Oak Cliff. Parents were immediately notified of the assertions Tuesday both by phone and by letter.

One mother told CBS 11 News She's in shock. We're not identifying her because her daughter is one of the possible victims.

"My daughter told me that a teacher had touched some kids inappropriately and that she had been one of them," the mother told us. She says the man touched her fifth grader on her bottom. School officials tell us he was a substitute gym teacher, who was sent home. That's a comfort to both mother and daughter. "He's not a teacher anymore here. The other teachers are all very nice."

DISD police were contacted immediately. Because of the sensitive nature of the potential crime, they turned it over to Dallas Police. DPD Youth Division investigators were at the scene today talking apparently to both students and parents.

Maria Torres had initially kept her child at home but brought them back. "We'll see what they tell me later, that's why I'm here, a teacher told me to bring my kids."

Dallas Police say the claims are under investigation. DISD is pursuing its own internal administrative probe, and will only say it is under investigation as well. Still, there are nervous parents, including those whose kids were not directly involved.

"They still go to gym and it could've easily been their classes," Brittany Espinosa said adding, "I was afraid, that shouldn't happen at a school."