A substitute teacher who worked at several schools in the Fort Zumwalt School District is facing criminal charges after prosecutors alleged he had sexual contact with a 17-year-old student who had been placed in his care. The case has prompted concern among some St. Peters families and raised questions about the screening and oversight of substitute teachers.
According to KSDK, St. Charles County prosecutors have charged Ryan Zull with one count of first-degree child welfare endangerment involving sexual conduct with a minor by a parent or guardian. His bond has been set at $100,000, and court records indicate a bond hearing is scheduled for today.
In a brief public statement, the Fort Zumwalt School District said Zull is no longer employed by the district and confirmed that he had worked as a substitute at multiple campuses. According to a district release, Superintendent Henry St. Pierre said Zull began substituting in 2017. The release also stated that all district employees, including substitutes, are required to complete FBI fingerprinting and Family Care Safety Registry background checks as part of the hiring process.
Court documents reviewed by investigators allege the conduct occurred at Zull’s home and state that the 17-year-old involved, who is not a Fort Zumwalt student, and another individual in Zull’s care both have intellectual disabilities, which Detective Eric Morrow noted in the filings as part of the investigation. According to the same documents, Zull told police he serves as a court-appointed special advocate and was in the process of becoming a foster parent.
Police Seek Tips
St. Peters police are urging any parents or students with concerns about Zull to reach out to investigators. The department has provided a non-emergency line and an anonymous tip line on its website, and callers can also contact the Justice Center or use the Crime Solvers tip line.
Legal Context
First-degree child welfare endangerment involving sexual conduct is a felony in Missouri, and Zull’s case will be prosecuted in St. Charles County through the local courts. Court records also show that Zull has prior arrests for false impersonation of a law enforcement officer, second-degree statutory sodomy, and second-degree domestic assault, though the filings do not indicate whether those cases led to convictions.
District Response And Next Steps
Fort Zumwalt officials said they are cooperating with law enforcement and emphasized that their standard hiring safeguards, including FBI fingerprinting and Family Care Safety Registry checks, apply to all employees and substitutes. Both the district and police are urging anyone with information to contact St. Peters police and stressed that anyone with immediate concerns should call 911.
