Peoria elementary school teacher accused of molesting 5th graders
PEORIA, Ariz. (FOX 10) -- Draft court documents obtained by FOX 10 show a teacher with an elementary school in Peoria is facing sexual abuse and child molestation charges.
According to the draft documents, Ricky Jesus Ordway, 43, was taken into custody Tuesday morning. In a statement, Peoria Police officials said Ordway was arrested at the Peoria Unified School District Office.
As for the alleged incidents, draft court documents show they happened at Sun Valley Elementary School, located on the 8300 block of N. 95th Avenue in Peoria, and the incidents involved three students in Ordway's class.
The draft documents provided graphic details surrounding the allegations. One of the incidents reportedly happened on February 8, 2019, when Ordway allegedly pulled up the alleged victim's dress and pulled on her underwear. After rubbing the alleged victim's leg, Ordway then touched the alleged victim in her private area. The alleged victim said she was uncomfortable and didn't like it when Ordway did that to her.
Other incidents, according to the draft documents, happened between the beginning of the school year in September 2018 and May 6. Other incidents also involved Ordway allegedly touching students in an inappropriate manner, with Ordway touching the victims' private areas. In one instance, Ordway allegedly told one of the alleged victims that she can't tell anyone, or else he could be fired.
The victims were not named in the draft court documents, and according to the documents, the victims disclosed several more names of potential victims to investigators. In a post-Miranda interview with Ordway, he denied all of the allegations and accused the alleged victims of lying.
In a statement released by Peoria Unified School District officials Tuesday afternoon, officials said they notified Peoria Police of allegations of inappropriate conduct by Ordway after a student and parent brought the allegations to the district's attention a week ago. Families of 5th Grade students have been notified that Ordway would not be returning to class, due to a "personnel matter".
Meanwhile, parents whose children have been taught by Ordway are speaking out, as news of the allegations spread.
"When he gets in here I'm going to give him a big hug," said Jessica Munoz. "How do I -- what do you say? What do I tell him?"
Munoz's son was taught by Ordway a year ago. Munoz is also reflecting on her suspicions two years ago, as Ordway was her daughter's softball coach.
"I used to ask my daughter at the time when he was her coach, 'I don't trust him. Has he ever tried to do anything to you?'" Munoz said recounted. "Just instinctively, I felt like he was a little different."
Meanwhile, some parents who are wondering about what they don't know are ready to take their children elsewhere.
"No, I want to pull my son out, kind of," said Mike Dillon. "I don't want him associated with the school that's going to hire a person like that. It's kind of disappointing, very disappointing. If this is the tip of the iceberg, who knows what else is going on?"
Anyone with information regarding the incidents should call Glendale Police at (623) 773-8311, or leave an anonymous tip by calling Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS. Spanish speakers can leave an anonymous tip by calling Testigo Silencioso at 480-TESTIGO.
Si tiene alguna información sobre este caso, llame a la línea de Testigo Silencioso (480-TESTIGO, 480-837-8446).
Silent Witness
http://www.silentwitness.org/