5 Redwood City Boys Accused In Attempted Sex Assault
REDWOOD CITY (CBS SF) -- Five Redwood City middle school boys have been arrested for allegedly attempting to sexually assault two 12-year-old girls on a school field trip in March, according to the San Mateo County District Attorney's Office.
The five Kennedy Middle School students were arrested June 8, shortly after two female students told their school counselor they had been sexually assaulted on an outing to Stulsaft Park in Redwood City three months ago.
The counselor immediately informed the school principal, who in turn informed police, Redwood City School District spokeswoman Naomi Hunter said.
All of the students—the victims and their alleged attackers—were between the ages of 12 and 14 and were part of the school's Newcomer Program, which provides support and instruction to students who have been in the U.S. for less than a year, Hunter said.
School district officials on Tuesday vowed to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident and examine all safety policies and procedures pertaining to school trips, district director of assessment and spokeswoman Jane Yuster said.
"Our number one message to parents is that their kids are safe in Redwood City schools and on school-sponsored trips and activities," Yuster said.
"The district is very concerned that this potential incident took place," she said.
The five boys were arraigned Monday at the San Mateo County Youth Services Center on felony charges of assault with intent to commit rape, sexual battery and committing a lewd act on a minor under the age of 14, according to the district attorney's office.
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