An Omaha police detective testified Tuesday that she found a pattern of sexual misconduct as she investigated accusations that a middle school teacher had inappropriately touched female students.
A Douglas County judge ruled that the evidence was sufficient to order former Nathan Hale Magnet Middle School teacher Shad M. Knutson, 34, to stand trial on three counts of third-degree sexual assault. The charges stem from accusations made by three of Knutson’s former students, all 13 at the time of the alleged incidents.
Detective Christy Bart expressed frustration about access to records kept by Omaha Public Schools.
The allegations and the way they were handled by OPS have been the source of recent controversy. School administrators said they found no evidence of sexual misconduct, and as recently as Monday reaffirmed the district’s policy on reporting possible child abuse to police.
Knutson’s private attorney, who does not represent OPS, said some of the allegations and details reported to Bart were not the same as those given to OPS administrators. She raised the possibility that students gave Bart more or different details.
Bart testified that she got involved in the investigation after the mother of a student told Child Protective Services about an incident at school in October 2010.
The girl told Bart that while taking a test last fall, she went up to Knutson’s desk to ask a question. Knutson took the girl’s pen, Bart said, and placed it in front of his penis, telling the girl to “reach.” The girl hesitated but eventually took the pen.
The girl told Bart that after class, Knutson touched her breast twice, then made her promise not to tell anyone. As a reward for her silence, Bart said, Knutson gave the girl a school pass and some Twizzlers.
Bart said this wasn’t the first time Knutson had acted inappropriately with the girl. The girl told Bart that Knutson would unzip his pants and tell her she could see his private parts anytime. He also told her she was sexy, Bart said.
Bart contacted Nathan Hale Principal Susan Colvin to seek further information. But Bart said the principal wouldn’t answer all her questions, and referred her to the school district’s human resources department. That department sent a five-page fax, three pages of which dealt with allegations against Knutson, Bart said.
The principal did give Bart the names of other students who may have made allegations against Knutson. The detective said that interviews with those students — as well as others identified by a separate source — revealed a common theme of misconduct. The Douglas County Attorney’s Office advised Bart to subpoena school administrators for more information.
Among Bart’s findings:
>> One girl said Knutson touched her breasts around November of 2009. The student also said that Knutson, alone in a hallway, yelled out the student’s name. When she turned around, Knutson had his penis outside his pants and was “wobbling it” around.
Knutson asked the same girl to “flash” him in exchange for a better grade. In a separate incident, the girl found herself alone with Knutson in the physical education teacher’s office, and Knutson asked for oral sex.
The girl told the detective that she spoke with her principal and someone from the district’s human resources office. She said she also filled out a written statement.
The outcome, according to Bart: “She was suspended, I believe, and transferred to a different school, accused of lying.”
An OPS report from the 2009 incident concluded there was “no basis for blame,” Bart said.
>> A third girl told Bart that she attended Nathan Hale for a short time in 2008 and that on one occasion, Knutson touched her vaginal area, which was covered by clothing.
The girl said she reported the incident.
On cross-examination by Knutson’s attorney, Bart said the OPS investigation did not find any other students who witnessed the alleged incidents. Bart also told attorney Barbara Thielen that she did not interview any of the girl’s classmates.
Bart said that it was common for children to reveal more information to police officers than they would to school officials.
Bart also said police were never contacted about the accusations until October 2010. Knutson was placed on administrative leave around the same as the district investigated the latest allegation. His contract was not renewed.
Contact the writer:
402-444-1279, jason.kuiper@owh.com
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