Teacher charged after allegedly assaulting 2 students inside Lawrence elementary school
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A 60-year-old teacher from Lawrence, Kansas has been arrested after investigators say he sexually assaulted two students at a local elementary school last Friday.
According to a , Mark Elliot Gridley, a Speech and Language Pathologist at Prairie Park Elementary School, was arrested and charged with one count of aggravated indecent liberties with a child under the age of 14, and one count of kidnapping.
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Court documents said that one child was born in 2014, which makes them either 10 or 11 years old.
Police said that on Saturday morning, one of the victims called Lawrence officers and told them that the assault happened in the early morning hours of the school day on Friday, Feb. 7.
A few days later, on Monday morning, investigators learned of a second possible victim.
The Interim Superintendent of Lawrence Public Schools, Jeanice K. Swift, issued a statement on Monday afternoon about the recent allegations. It read:
'The Lawrence Police Department recently notified us of serious allegations leading to the weekend arrest and ongoing investigation into the conduct of this individual,' Swift wrote.
'The district immediately relieved the individual of all duties. School and district administration continue to work closely alongside our law enforcement partners to support their investigative efforts. We will keep staff and families informed as the investigation progresses.'
Swift continued by saying that the district holds the highest standards for its employees and that it will be taking actions in accordance with Lawrence Board and Education Policy.
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'Please continue to report any safety concerns you may have to your child's school and encourage your children to do the same,' she said. 'We have school mental health teams to support student and staff needs. If you think your child or family could benefit from visiting with a counselor, please reach out to your school.'
Additionally, officers are working closely with the Children's Advocacy Center of Douglas County, school administrators, and the District Attorney's Office to help investigate any other crimes Gridley may have committed or victims potentially connected to this case.
The Lawrence Police Department has set up an on-site law enforcement presence at the school and a phone line for parents who need to report a concern about their child and any contact with Gridley.
If you have any information regarding this case, police ask that you call law enforcement at (785) 830-7430 before discussing any details in-depth with your child.
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'Lawrence Police and the Children's Advocacy Center of Douglas County are here and ready to talk to you and your child,' the Lawrence Police Department said. 'They are trained to address these issues while limiting the traumatic impact these discussions have on young victims.'
This is an ongoing investigation and the identities and exact ages of the victims will not be released to the public. Currently, there are no additional details about the nature of the assault.
For the latest details regarding this case, tune into for the latest coverage.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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