Was the “child” another high school student or a random toddler passing through the high school? Don’t give us relevant facts or anything, guys!
The ‘child’ was a fellow student... probably 17... and a girl.
If we read between the lines, he ‘enticed’ his friend into the bathroom so they could play doctor with his swollen limb.
wjfw.com
Rhinelander superintendent releases statement regarding alleged sexual assault at RHS
RHINELANDER - 18-year-old Austin Sauer of Rhinelander was arrested Thursday afternoon, after an alleged sexual assault in the Rhinelander High School’s (RHS) gender-neutral bathroom.
Sauer faces charges of child enticement, exposing genitals to a child and 4th degree sexual assault.
The Oneida County Sheriff’s Office confirms the alleged victim is a female-student under the age of 18. Her identity will not be released.
WJFW-TV spoke to School District of Rhinelander Superintendent Kelli Jacobi
In a statement, Jacobi said “This was not a random incident, both students went into the bathroom voluntarily, that bathroom is no longer available to students. The male student will no longer be able to be on the school grounds.”
Jacobi was asked about policies about regarding the gender-neutral bathroom, and its use and said, “We don’t have specific policies on bathrooms.”
In 2019, RHS updated a former men’s restroom into a gender-neutral bathroom to accommodate the needs of students. The bathroom has multiple stalls and can be used by several people at once.
In an October interview with School District of Rhinelander Director of Learning Support Maggie Peterson, she said the bathroom was to create a safe environment.
“We’re a public school and we want to create a safe and inclusive environment for everybody,” said Peterson.
According to Capt. Terri Hook from the Oneida Co. Sheriff’s Office, “RHS did not notify parents because it was an isolated incident and the suspect was removed from the campus.”
Jacobi was asked about notifying parents, and said, “This was not a random incident and was not a threat to other students.”
Sauer was released on a $1,500 signature bond; his next court date is in April.
*This story will be updated as more information is made available.