In Washington, a wave of concern has swept over the community as parents seek answers following the arrest of a 62-year-old physical education teacher and athletic director from Skykomish K-12 School. The arrest, which took place last Friday, involves allegations of prolonged sexual abuse of a student.
Documents obtained by Fox News Digital indicate that the individual was taken into custody on March 6 by the King County Sheriff’s Office amid an investigation into child rape. Despite the serious nature of the accusations, the suspect’s identity remains undisclosed, as formal charges have not yet been filed.
The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has stated that it has yet to receive the case from the sheriff’s office, although it anticipates doing so by Wednesday, at which point a decision on charges will be made.
The teacher, associated with the Skykomish School District, was arrested on suspicion of child rape. The troubling allegations have left the community seeking clarity and justice in a situation that has deeply affected those involved.
According to the investigation, the alleged victim, now 14 years old, had joined the school as a seventh grader. She reportedly developed a connection with the teacher through a mutual interest in soccer, during a time when she was coping with the profound loss of a friend from her previous school.
According to investigators, the female student, now 14, transferred to the school in seventh grade and bonded with the teacher over a shared interest in soccer after experiencing the traumatic loss of a friend at her previous school.
She was allegedly given gifts and special treatment from the teacher before the interactions became sexual in eighth grade.
The alleged abuse, which included sexual intercourse, continued for about a year and a half and took place in multiple locations on campus, including in closets, stairwells and the gymnasium during the school day, according to the probable cause statement.
The relationship became increasingly personal over time, with frequent communication through his school district email account that investigators allege included coded references to sexual activity.
Prosecutors claim that the teacher’s inappropriate relationship began when the student was in the seventh grade. (KCPQ)
Deputies also allege the teacher admitted to repeated sexual contact with the student inside the school and acknowledged purchasing gifts for her, including lingerie.
The probable cause statement says multiple staff members and students raised concerns about the relationship.
Investigators allege the principal at the school instructed the 62-year-old not to be alone with the student, but instead of assigning adult supervision, another student, described as autistic, was present while the two were in the same area.
The case came to light after the student’s mother discovered nude images and videos on her daughter’s phone and contacted law enforcement, according to investigators.
“I’m shaking right now because I’m pretty irritated about this,” said Maria, a parent of a young child in the district, who didn’t want to provide her last name, in an interview with local Fox 13.
Many of the alleged crimes occurred on the campus of the Skykomish school, investigators say. (KCPQ)
She said her son saw the teacher being arrested and was “very upset about it.”
The Skykomish School District released a statement on Sunday, telling parents it had “no advance notice that the employee was under investigation until the day of his arrest.”
Superintendent Destry Jones said the school is “cooperating fully with the investigation” and described student safety and well-being as its “highest priority.”
Jones said the district will aim to remain transparent as more information becomes available while “respecting the privacy of the youth involved.”
“We ask community members to be mindful and respectful of student privacy when sharing information with each other and the community about this topic. Our focus remains on maintaining a safe and supportive learning environment for all students,” the superintendent added.
Police are still investigating the case following the teacher’s arrest on Friday, March 6, 2026. (Jeffry W. Myers/Corbis via Getty Images)
The King County Sheriff’s Office told Fox News Digital that detectives with the Special Assault Unit are continuing to investigate the case.
Authorities believe there are no additional victims at this time and said they welcome any relevant information from members of the public.
Fox 13 reported the teacher is being held on $750,000 bail.
