There could be more information by the end of the week.
Last week, officials with the Denver Police Department confirmed the department was “actively” investigating charges that Norwood students were involved in a sexual assault in Denver during the State Wrestling Tournament that took place Feb. 16-18.
Per the Colorado Child Protection Act of 1987, school employees who have reason to believe that a child in their care has been assaulted must report their suspicions, in writing and orally, to county social services and/or law enforcement authorities.
Denver officers were at Norwood High School Tuesday, April 10, interviewing students and staff about an alleged assault on tournament grounds.
“The investigation is ongoing, and that’s where we’re at,” said the department's Public Information Officer John White. The department will not release any more information, in part “because minors are involved.”
Norwood Superintendent of Schools Dave Crews said, in an April 12 email to The Watch, "Thank you for your concern on this matter. Because we are dealing with personnel and student matters I cannot comment on it. However, I can tell you that our continued drive and commitment is to provide a safe environment for students to receive a quality education to prepare them to have success after high school. At this time we have not had any disciplinary incidents at school pertaining to this case. It is a safe environment. Thank you for your understanding of the situation."
A receptionist for Norwood School District attorney Darryl Farrington was instructed to not put a reporter's message through to his voicemail Friday.
Nor has Farrington acknowledged earlier phone and email messages regarding the Tuesday, April 10 visit from Denver police to Norwood High School. Farrington, with the Denver law firm Semple, Farrington and Everall, has specialized in school law and special district law for more than 30 years, according to his firm's website. He "currently serves as general counsel to approximately 35 school districts and boards of cooperative services throughout Colorado…."
In addition to Norwood, Farrington lists Telluride, Ridgway and Ouray districts among his clients.
Parties who wish to remain unidentified say that parents are organizing a group to attend an April 17 meeting of the Norwood School Board and ask the question, “How are you keeping our children safe?”
If I drove a beat-up car, would you say I'm 'low class'? It's time to take a good hard look at ourselves and stop the gossip, stop the lies, stop the petty bantering and most importantly, STOP THE FALSE ACCUSATIONS AND MAN-UP TO THE LIE THAT'S BEEN SPREAD THAT'S RUINING THE LIVES OF THE INNOCENT. DO YOU NOT HAVE INTEGRITY? Better to confess your sin and ask forgiveness than to attempt to ruin the lives of others as God knows the answers and it will be revealed through Him. Remember..."An eye for an eye".
The individuals that are being accused of this crime are innocent until proven guilty. And so far..they haven't been charged. The person who leaked this to the media, has done this for their own personal gain and to set out to ruin lives and change those forever. The 'apple' didn't fall too far from the tree in this case. Vendictive behavour in the household usually rears its ugly head in public. So let go of the gossip, lies and deceipt and tell the truth before anymore of your 'homies' are damaged forever. Seriously accuser...I pray for your confession!
"seriously accuser... I pray for your confession."
We are talking about a child. Why would he put himself thru all of this if not for the truth.
Shame on you!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The real shame rests on the shoulders of those with the power and trust to do the right thing from the beginning. You decided to leverage one way or another thinking this would just disappear? Too little too late. I hope the public makes examples of you as you are not fit to influence the lives of the town's youth.
The truth will come out regardless of which side of the fence you decide to stand. Long standing feuds and small town bickering have no place here. The alleged victim and the accused deserve better.
Back in the day I got beat up coming home from school. I was six; my assailants were about 12 and 15. I never said a word about it to anyone. My dad was an alcoholic, and he wouldn't have done a thing, anyway.
Juvenile courts work differently than adult courts. For that reason, we will probably never hear the outcome of deliberations, publically. I think our courts have the capability to solve this case, and admnister an appropriate punishment, if that's warranted. I think that you have already made up your mind, though! (Tell it to the court!!!!!!)
Since I come from the area on the western slope in question, I hope the town as a whole is more objective than you. That charges were filed makes the allegations fairly serious. If these accused were my kids, I'd get to the bottom of these allegations fast. There's little doubt they'll be treated fairly as juveniles, however, if they come from the kind of home that pooh-poohs this kind of crap, there's little doubt in my mind we'll be hearing from them in the future as adults -- for something far more serious.
So what exactly does it mean now that charges have been pressed???
What is your next excuse.
It’s called fear of retribution. You see bullying is happening at all levels. It’s why you and I both hide behind a screen name. It looks like the victim and his family finally stood up and took a stand against it.
I am interested in what really did happen at the wrestling tournament in Denver - lots of stories ranging from adolescent "roughhousing" to the unimaginable. This info doesn't seem to appear or be available anywhere and with the sought charges at hand, this leaves much to be interpreted. One would hope the severity of accusations would be consistent with the actual incident, in any situation. The interpretation, language, and accusation being thrown around has terrific and grave consequences for more than just the few involved. Pretty tough to explain to the kids and it's too bad this path has been chosen. If this misbehaviour has such a long track record of unnapproval by the community as a whole, then shame on all of us for letting it get to this point. I guess in time all truth will come to light. In the meantime, I hope we focus our energy on moving forward to make this town even better than it currently is and better involving ourselves to insure this happens.
First – Why did it take so long to report it? I would think that when a child in their care tells them they have been assaulted that would raise suspicions.
Second – How many school employees ‘forgot’/ or just plain ignored it?
Certainly seems like a case of the good ol’ boys
Extent and so does the school and the school board