Janitor Accused Of Sexually Abusing Student With Down Syndrome

A janitor who works at a Missouri high school is being accused of sexually abusing a student with Down Syndrome, according to authorities. 

Robert Smith, a custodian in St. Louis County has been taken into custody for first-degree sexual abuse after accusations began to spread throughout the school that he had inappropriate sexual conduct with the disabled student, according to law enforcement.

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In a Thursday letter to parents, collected by KTVI, Principal Corey Sink states that Smith has been suspended without pay and is banned from school district property. “I can assure you we are working in full cooperation with the Eureka Police Department, as well as taking the appropriate steps in our school to ensure the safety of our students, which is at the forefront of all that we do,” Sink’s letter reads, adding that all district employees must get through a criminal background check before being hired.

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“I know that any allegation of this type is very troubling news to process, and we share your concern as parents and educators. Because this is a personnel issue and an ongoing investigation, I am limited as to what details I am at liberty to share. I want to assure you, though, that we take any allegations of this nature very seriously, and we will do everything in our power to assist the investigators and ensure the safety of all of our students.”

According to news outlets, Smith is now being held on a $300,000 bail and faces up to 10 years in the slammer.