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Teacher at deaf school accused of molesting girls | Riverside County | PE.com | Southern California News | News for Inland Southern California
A man charged Thursday with molesting two young girls taught at the California School for the Deaf, Riverside, and has been active in the city's deaf community.
Police arrested Daniel Ray Metroka on Saturday after learning he was accused of molesting the girls earlier that day, according to court records.
Riverside police and county prosecutors would not say how Metroka knew the alleged victims but would confirm that they were not students at the Riverside campus of the state-run school. They also said the incidents were not reported as taking place at the school, where Metroka had been a full-time teacher since 1997.
"We're concerned there may be additional victims and we don't want to jeopardize the integrity of those interviews," said Riverside police Lt. Steve Johnson.
The California Highway Patrol is assisting in the investigation in case there are ties to the state school, Johnson said.
On Thursday, Metroka was charged with four counts of lewd and lascivious acts on girls under 14 years old, court documents stated. He is being held in the Robert Presley Detention Center. Bail was set at $1 million.
The arraignment for Metroka, 51, was continued Thursday until July 19, said Ingrid Wyatt, spokeswoman for the Riverside County district attorney's office.
School officials said Thursday they are discussing with the school's legal representatives whether they should suspend Metroka or put him on paid or unpaid administrative leave. Metroka is currently on summer leave.
"He will not be permitted to be on campus until the matter is resolved," said Laurie Pietro, campus spokeswoman.
On Tuesday, Superintendent Mal Grossinger sent a letter to all parents and employees about Metroka's arrest. The institution is one of two state-run schools for students who are deaf or hard of hearing.
"The safety and welfare of our students has always been and will continue to be our number one priority," Grossinger, who is deaf, said Thursday through an interpreter.
Lorna Jenkins worked at the school with Metroka.
"I'm absolutely shocked and I really, truly can't believe it," Jenkins said.
She described him as a loved and respected man.
"He's always there for other people, the epitome of a Christian," Jenkins said.
Metroka signed as a volunteer interpreter at St. Catherine of Alexandria Catholic Church in Riverside. Police have notified the church, and the Rev. Paul Granillo said church officials are working on how to respond.
"We take these arrests seriously and we want to make sure we do the best to protect and let people know what has occurred," said Granillo, who serves as the director of communications for the Diocese of San Bernardino.
Anyone with information may contact Riverside police Detective Roberta Hopewell at 951-353-7124 or CHP Officer Brian Renfro at 951-637-8000.
A man charged Thursday with molesting two young girls taught at the California School for the Deaf, Riverside, and has been active in the city's deaf community.
Police arrested Daniel Ray Metroka on Saturday after learning he was accused of molesting the girls earlier that day, according to court records.
Riverside police and county prosecutors would not say how Metroka knew the alleged victims but would confirm that they were not students at the Riverside campus of the state-run school. They also said the incidents were not reported as taking place at the school, where Metroka had been a full-time teacher since 1997.
"We're concerned there may be additional victims and we don't want to jeopardize the integrity of those interviews," said Riverside police Lt. Steve Johnson.
The California Highway Patrol is assisting in the investigation in case there are ties to the state school, Johnson said.
On Thursday, Metroka was charged with four counts of lewd and lascivious acts on girls under 14 years old, court documents stated. He is being held in the Robert Presley Detention Center. Bail was set at $1 million.
The arraignment for Metroka, 51, was continued Thursday until July 19, said Ingrid Wyatt, spokeswoman for the Riverside County district attorney's office.
School officials said Thursday they are discussing with the school's legal representatives whether they should suspend Metroka or put him on paid or unpaid administrative leave. Metroka is currently on summer leave.
"He will not be permitted to be on campus until the matter is resolved," said Laurie Pietro, campus spokeswoman.
On Tuesday, Superintendent Mal Grossinger sent a letter to all parents and employees about Metroka's arrest. The institution is one of two state-run schools for students who are deaf or hard of hearing.
"The safety and welfare of our students has always been and will continue to be our number one priority," Grossinger, who is deaf, said Thursday through an interpreter.
Lorna Jenkins worked at the school with Metroka.
"I'm absolutely shocked and I really, truly can't believe it," Jenkins said.
She described him as a loved and respected man.
"He's always there for other people, the epitome of a Christian," Jenkins said.
Metroka signed as a volunteer interpreter at St. Catherine of Alexandria Catholic Church in Riverside. Police have notified the church, and the Rev. Paul Granillo said church officials are working on how to respond.
"We take these arrests seriously and we want to make sure we do the best to protect and let people know what has occurred," said Granillo, who serves as the director of communications for the Diocese of San Bernardino.
Anyone with information may contact Riverside police Detective Roberta Hopewell at 951-353-7124 or CHP Officer Brian Renfro at 951-637-8000.