WA state special ed teacher arrested on sex abuse charges of 8-year-old girl: police

A Washington state special education teacher has been arrested on child sex abuse charges, according to the Seattle Times. The victim was 8-years-old and police are concerned there might be more victims.

Robert Scroggs, 73, has been charged with first-degree child molestation. He was taken into custody by the Bellevue Police Department on June 7 and was booked into King County Jail on a $100,000 bond. He has since been released, according to jail records.

Scroggs worked in the Newport Heights Elementary School special needs department from Jan. to April 2024 but has worked in the Bellevue School District for years. He has been placed on administrative leave, police said.


Robert Scroggs

According to police reports obtained by TPM, the victim's parents contacted the school on June 6 to report that Scroggs had sexually abused their 8-year-old daughter. He would pull the child out of class to address her behavioral, social, and emotional needs, then would allegedly molest the child.

The victim, who referred to Scroggs as "Mr. Bob," told police during a forensic interview that Scroggs would have her lay down on her back on a bean bag chair and would massage the victim's back and buttocks. Scroggs would then make the child turn over to lie on her back and would then rub the victim's breasts and genitals. The abuse happened when they were alone in the resource room, per court documents.

The mother was first made aware of the abuse after she was contacted by a different teacher about her child exhibiting new behavioral issues, such as masturbating in class. The mother told her child that she should not be touching her private parts in class. The child responded, "Well Mr. Bob touches me down there," court documents show.

The victim was asked to draw a photo of where the alleged abuse occurred.

Photo drawn by student featured in court documents.

Scroggs reportedly told the victim that he loved her and gave her handmade beaded bracelets to wear, police said.


Bracelets given to the victim, per court documents.

Bellevue Police detectives are concerned that there might be more victims, given Scroggs's long history with the school district. Scroggs is scheduled to appear back in court on June 20 at the King County Courthouse.