Unreported allegations raising questions (Two districts failed to report accused molester's actions)

The Daily Bulletin ^ | 08/11/2006 | Wendy Leung and Edward Barrera, Staff Writers

[Smogger]

Questions remain about allegations that apparently were never reported to law enforcement as police continue to identify possible victims of a substitute teacher accused of child molestation.

Fontana police said Thursday that investigators are now reviewing three cases involving girls from Fontana Unified School District; only one has been verified by detectives so far.

Police from Ontario and the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department are investigating five additional cases, though detectives have not verified all of those accusations.

Eric Norman Olsen, 28, was charged Monday with molesting a 10-year-old girl in an Ontario-Montclair school classroom in June.

When school officials there found out about the June 8 incident, they immediately contacted the county's Department of Children's Services and law enforcement about the substitute teacher's actions. At two other school districts, possible allegations concerning Olsen's past behavior were apparently never forwarded to law enforcement.

State law requires school officials to notify either children's services or law enforcement if there has been a complaint of child abuse or molestation. Children's services and law enforcement are then obligated to inform each other.

In a jailhouse interview with the Daily Bulletin on Wednesday, Olsen denied he molested any children but admits to allowing young girls to sit on his lap. In an interview with police Aug. 3, he said he became sexually aroused when they got on his lap, according to a statement he wrote. He also told police that he was banned from Central School District in Rancho Cucamonga in December and San Bernardino City Unified School District in April 2005 for similar actions.

In the Central School District in Rancho Cucamonga, officials reported similar allegations to the children's services in December, but the Sheriff's Department has said it has no record of the incident.

[Smogger]

The earlier possible accusations, which may have dropped through the cracks, have troubled officials at the county's District Attorney's Office.

"Our first concern is the prosecution of Mr. Olsen, and the determination of any more victims and addressing their concerns," said Susan Mickey, spokeswoman for the office. "We may take a look at the matter in the future. It is a concern for us."

Seems like if a Church was involved they would make looking at how previous accusations were not reported to the police front and center.

As I have already stated, if it was a priest instead of a public school teacher the angry accusations, and damning editorials would have already reached a fever pitch. For those of you that said, "Well yeah but the difference was the Church tried to cover up the molestations", have at it.

[ApplegateRanch]

Maybe if the administrators who did not report; and the notified CS personnel, who did not notify law enforcement, were prosecuted for aiding & abetting, it might serve notice to take the reporting laws seriously.

Also, if he was banned by the tow districts last year, why was the state allowing him to keep his credentials; or, at least, listing him as such, so other districts could (should have to) check his status?

Yes, they cover up, but that seems to be okay, as long as it isn't a church involved.

[Smogger]

If a school a district fails to report sex abuse allegations they "fell through the cracks" if the Church fails it's a coverup.

I think I have it straight now.