That security officer worked at Burbank Middle School and parents say they're upset finding out the man has a history of complaints against him.
Devin Jay Delarosa is the Burbank Middle School security guard who's now accused of groping and fondling a young female student numerous times in rooms at the school. Delarosa was arrested Friday, but resigned from the district in December when police began confronting him with the allegations.
"I feel very upset, because that means your children are not safe going to school because they are not doing their job on background checks," said concerned parent Terrico Hill.
Parents like Hill are upset no one from the school has mentioned anything about an investigation involving the 28-year-old guard until now.
Parent Tammie Morris said, "I'm really frustrated. I mean..."
Morris is another parent now questioning why Delorosa was even allowed to be around children at Burbank Middle School. Court records show Delarosa's personnel file has complaints from female students at his previous post at Austin High School. Those girls also complained the guard was touching them unprofessionally.
A statement from HISD's spokesman says, "There is no indication the former principal shared this information with HISD police, HISD professional standards, or any other appropriate authorities."
"The principal knew about it? On a level of 1 to 10, I'm going past 10 -- it's an 11," Morris said. "It's really doesn't make sense, because if she knew about it, I don't think he should have been hired, knowing it's girls there too."
Delarosa's now charged with two counts of indecency with a child. I spoke with his lawyer, Baldemar Zuniga, about the allegations.
He said, "My client is adamant that he was doing nothing more than performing his duties as a security guard employed by HISD police."
HISD says steps have already been taken to protect against situations like this in the future.
___________________________________________________________
FULL STATEMENT FROM HISD:
-
"Last week, Houston ISD police filed criminal charges of indecency with a child against a former school security guard who is accused of engaging in sexual contact with a student.
Devin J. Delarosa, 28, resigned from HISD in December when district police confronted him about the allegations of inappropriate behavior while he was working at Burbank Elementary School and Burbank Middle School from November 15, 2010 through June 1, 2012. According to court records, Delarosa is accused of inappropriately touching a female student who attended both schools and was approximately 11 years old at the time.
Delarosa has worked off-campus security assignments since the end of the 2011-2012 school year.
Court records also show that Delarosa was previously accused of inappropriate behavior with students at Austin High School when he was assigned there during the 2010-2011 school year. This alleged behavior was documented by the Austin High School principal, who is no longer employed by HISD. There is no indication the former principal shared this information with HISD Police, HISD Professional Standards, or any other appropriate authorities. Records documenting concerns about Delarosa's actions were maintained at Austin High School, but do not appear to have been submitted for inclusion in his HISD personnel file. Delarosa was not charged with a crime related to the allegations at Austin High School.
Delarosa was hired as a security guard at time when campus principals were responsible for screening and managing them. The Houston ISD Police Department has since assumed responsibility for overseeing security guard management.
Student safety is the top priority of the Houston Independent School District. Allegations of inappropriate behavior by employees who are entrusted to work with children are thoroughly and swiftly investigated. Steps have already been taken to protect against situations such as this in the future, and the district will be further reviewing procedures to determine whether additional actions are necessary to further protect students."
Find Demond on Facebook at ABC13DemondFernandez or on Twitter at @demondfernandez
