Three more staffers from Oregon school under investigation after 2 teachers charged with sex abuse

Earlier this month, two men who have taught at St. Helens High School in Oregon were arrested and hit with sex abuse charges. Amid the scandal, three more staff members in the school district have come under investigation.  

The Oregon Department of Human Services said that authorities are investigating two other accusations of sexual abuse involving staff members at the high school as well as staff failing to report on concerns for child safety, per KOIN News. The St. Helens School District superintendent Scot Stockwell has been placed on administrative leave and is under investigation for failure to report child safety concerns in the district.  

Earlier this month, current teacher 46-year-old Eric Stearns was arrested as well as former teacher 64-year-old Mark Collins, and both were charged with sexual abuse. Collins had retired prior to the allegations. Police have said they are investigating two more staff members for other sex abuse allegations.  

Leon, a sophomore at the school told the outlet, "I’m not exactly shocked that there are teachers who do that, who are being exposed for that." He added, "But I mean, every time it is still kind of like a disappointment or a letdown. Like, 'Oh, this person who I thought I could trust either being around, you know, the people close to me or to myself, is someone, like, so horrible.'" 

The investigation was sparked at the school by allegations of "historical sexual abuse at" St. Helens. Acting Police Chief Joseph Hogue of the St. Helens Police subpoenaed the district for records having to with Collins as well as Stearns. The records revealed that there were multiple reports from over the years of inappropriate touching of students that the district did not disclose. Students have slammed the school board for allowing alleged abuse to take place and keeping reports of it under wraps for so long.  

The Oregon governor shared a letter with the community on Friday to address the ongoing situation. Governor Tina Kotek wrote, "I am taking this issue very seriously and I offer my sincere condolences for the current situation that your community is facing, including the trust broken by the lack of transparency and immediate response to the allegations by district leadership."