Investigation Into Alleged Rape At Lindbergh High School Continues

The Renton Police Department continues to investigate an alleged rape of a 16-year-old special needs student at earlier this year by a fellow 14-year-old student.

The incident is not on the Board of Directors' agenda for tonight's meeting; however, the topic will likely surface during public comment.

The sexual assault reportedly took place in a the girls' bathroom at the school on Jan. 26 during the the school day, according to a report filed with the Renton Police department on Jan. 31.

The girl's father, Paul Harr, filed the report after his daughter told him of the assault, according to Kiro7.

Renton Police Department Public Information Officer Terri Vickers confirmed that, "The victim is a juvenile, and the case is being actively investigated." 

The State Patrol Crime Lab is still processing the evidence, and it'll be at least several more weeks before the results are returned, she said.

No additional information on the case is available from the Renton Police Department.

Renton School District administrators and the Renton Police took immediate action to investigate the allegation, Randy Matheson, executive director of communications, wrote in an email to Renton Patch.

"The boy was immediately placed on a short-term expulsion to allow both the school and the police to conduct an investigation," Matheson said.

 The alleged suspect remained on a "short-term expulsion" for nearly two weeks before he was allowed back to school on Friday in mid-February. 

"There is no evidence that a sexual assault took place on or near Lindbergh High School. There is no video, no witnesses, and, in interviews of both the boy and girl—conducted by Renton investigators and school administrators—there is no testimony that supports the claim that a sexual assault took place," Matheson said, adding that Renton Police will keep the investigation open because "their standard procedure is to not close cases, but to leave them open for future work, even if they cannot find evidence."

We care deeply about the girl who made the claim, and will work with her, her family and others to ensure she feels safe while at school," he said

A school resource officer, who is also a Renton Police officer, is assigned to Renton's schools, Matheson said, and will take action if evidence of an assault or other crime comes to light.

 Matheson added that by state law, and the community’s shared responsibilities to its youth, the accused student must be allowed back to school. 

"There is no evidence that he was justly accused," he said.

The School District will continue to keep Lindbergh High School — and all other Renton School District students — safe while on campus, he said.

 "We can say with conviction, that if any one student is a threat to another, we will act quickly and decisively to ensure the safety of all students and staff," he said.

A look at sex-related crimes on or near Renton-area high school campuses:

Between Jan. 1, 2006 and Feb. 18, 2011, the Renton Police Department received eight reports, including the most recent allegation of a sexual assault at Lindbergh High School. The data includes Renton, Hazen and Lindbergh; however,  Lindbergh was outside of the Renton Police Department's  jurisdiction until March 2008, so statistics for LHS prior to then are not included in these numbers:

1. The victim declined to provide information and refused to assist in prosecution.

2. The victim was a 6 year old, and the incident occurred in the stairwell near the pool and the suspect was described as about 20 years old.

3. Incident did not actually occur on school property.

4. Girlfriend/boyfriend relationship.  In order to prosecute, the age difference between the parties must be 48 months or more.  The age difference in this case did not meet 48 months.  Unable to prosecute.

 5. Occurred on school property, but in the evening and long after school hours.  The victim agreed to meet the suspect there for sexual activity.

6. Occurred in a wooded area near the school.  Investigation revealed that the contact was consensual.

 7. Participants were texting about intercourse; no sexual contact actually occurred.

 8.  Lindbergh High School case currently under investigation by the Renton Police Department

*Editor's note: The original story mis-stated the suspects age. Renton Patch regrets the error.