The Bellevue Police Department is reaching out to the public for assistance in an investigation into a teacher accused of molesting a child at Newport Heights Elementary School, asking anyone with relevant information to step forward. According to the Bellevue Beat Blog, Robert Scroggs, 73, a special education teacher, was arrested on June 7 following allegations of sexual assault involving an eight-year-old student.

The Bellevue School District reports that Scroggs was employed at the school's special-needs department from January to April, and his history has raised concerns about the existence of more victims, the police said they are conducting a thorough investigation in an attempt to uncover any additional incidents, as per the Bellevue Police Department. The school was alerted by a concerned parent on June 6, who reported that her child was taken out of class to address social and behavioral issues during which the alleged molestation occurred, the authorities acted promptly and Scroggs was apprehended the following day.

The authorities took swift action, with the Bellevue Police Department apprehending Scroggs at 3:10 p.m. and charging him with first-degree child molestation; he is currently held at the King County Jail, as detailed by the BPD. In response to the gravity of the situation, both the King County Sexual Assault Resource Center and Child Protective Services have been engaged and are providing support in the ongoing case.

Anyone with information relevant to this case to contact either the authorities directly or Detective Sergeant Brenda Johnson at [email protected]. Additional contact options for those with information include the NORCOM non-emergency line at 425-577-5656 or, in an emergency, dialing 9-1-1 for immediate assistance.