Probation Camp Teacher Accused of Pantsing 15-Year-Old Student

A teacher at a Lancaster probation camp has been placed on administrative leave while an alleged pantsing incident involving the teacher and a 15-year-old juvenile offender is under investigation, reports LA Daily News.

Chief Probation Officer Donald Blevins said the teen claims the teacher "touched him and pulled down his pants and boxers in order to search him." Blevins added, "The minor alleges that the teacher frequently searches students in the class."

The incident allegedly occurred last Friday, August 19, at a school operated by the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) inside Challenger Memorial Youth Center. Approximately 300 juvies are detained in four probation camps within the center.

Margo Minecki, LACOE spokeswoman, noted that the safety and well-being of students is top priority and that such allegations are taken seriously.

"Following our standard procedures in such instances, the employee has been placed on administrative leave and will have no contact with students while the matter is being investigated by law enforcement," said Minecki.

Additionally, the teacher is no longer permitted to enter any of the Probation Department's facilities, and a "suspected child abuse report" has been filed with local law enforcement, per a report to the Board of Supervisors.

LACOE has launched an internal investigation, and the complaint has also been referred to Probation's Child Abuse Special Investigation.