Parents say they’re concerned after the recent arrest of a school staff member in Jefferson County.
According to Arvada police, Justin Martinez is accused of sexual assault on a child by a person in a position of trust.
Martinez worked as a substitute teacher in several Jeffco schools — Lawrence Elementary School, Stevens Elementary School, Vivian Elementary School and Secrest Elementary School — but most recently in the before- and after-school care programs at Red Rocks Elementary.
“I know I’m not the only one that felt like this guy was off and when I got that email. My gut just crumbled,” Trish Byerley said.
The email about the arrest of a Jefferson County employee came from leadership at Red Rocks Elementary School, where Byerley’s son is a student. He’s also a member of the after-school age enrichment program known as SAE, where the suspect most recently worked.
“I really put a lot of this on the district. The district has lax hiring skills. They don’t take a lot of time that I think they should,” Byerley added.