Previous Story
Liaison between minor and 18-year-old referred to DPS, DYS
|
Posted on Oct 06 2011
By Moneth Deposa
Reporter
Reporter
The alleged romantic relationship between a 16-year-old female student of Kagman High School and an 18-year-old male, himself a former student, has roused school officials, who have reported the matter to police and the Division of Youth Services.
Saipan Tribune learned that the two began “dating” last school year when they were still 15 and 17 years old and were both enrolled at the school. This continued this school year and KHS found out that the guy, now 18 years old, has been regularly visiting and delivering food to the minor inside the campus.
Sources disclosed that KHS became alarmed when some employees approached and sought the school officials’ help.
KHS principal Alfred S. Ada confirmed yesterday the involvement of the minor student with the 18-year-old. However, he dispelled rumors about rape being involved.
Besides the police and DYS, Ada said the matter was also referred to the office of Education Commissioner Dr. Rita A. Sablan and the Public School System legal counsel.
The Education Board adopted early this year a new policy on child abuse reporting that mandates all PSS employees who knows or has reasonable cause to suspect that child abuse has occurred or will occur, to report that knowledge. It requires the reporting to police and proper authorities within 24 hours.
“We are mandated by law to report [on child abuse].and because this situation involves an adult constantly ’dating’ a minor, we want to make sure that we alerted the proper authorities. Our goal here is to protect our students from any degree of abuses,” Ada told Saipan Tribune yesterday.
Ada said the parents of the female minor were also told about the situation and “we’re not happy” upon learning about it.
Ada disclosed that the male adult is now barred from entering the campus and prohibited from making any contact with the female student. KHS, for its part, is counseling the female student and has placed her under “full watch.”
If the investigation yields “probable cause” of abuse, Ada said the case may be turned over to the state level.
