Houston ISD teacher accused of inappropriate contact with students

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A Houston ISD associate teacher is under investigation after allegations of inappropriate contact with students.

In a letter sent to parents, the district says the first grade teacher at Looscan Elementary was immediately removed from the classroom.

"In the meantime, another teacher will be filling in to ensure teaching and learning continue, uninterrupted, during the teacher's absence," the letter stated.

According to a woman who says her daughter was one of four first grade girls this substitute teacher allegedly touched, her daughter is nervous and scared to come back to school. This woman says the substitute teacher put her daughter on his lap, kissed her in the mouth and rubbed her waist area around 10 times in the last three weeks.

She says her daughter told her she was afraid to tell anyone. When she asked why, she says her little girl told her she was scared she'd be in trouble because this substitute would make the boys in the class face a wall and he'd yell at them.

Eyewitness News has learned that the whistle-blower was a first grade girl. She and her cousin both reportedly saw the inappropriate touching. She told her mom Thursday night; her mother got the cousin's story and it was identical, so she reported it to the principal Friday.

Parents tell Eyewitness News that the male teacher should have been arrested.

"It's scary to think you send your students to learn in school, not for them to be either molested or touched by anyone, female or male," Veronica Lopez said. "You want your kids to be safe."

Lilianna Mendoza says her son told her the teacher would tell female students to sit on his leg and kiss them.

"For me it's not good," Mendoza added.

HISD police are investigating the alleged contact.

No arrests have been made.

Full statement from HISD:

HISD was made aware of allegations of inappropriate conduct involving an associate teacher at Looscan Elementary School. School administrators immediately notified HISD Police, and the teacher was removed from the classroom while police conduct a full investigation.