A Candy Land-themed dance at Highland Lakes School in Glendale took a disturbing turn Friday when a registered sex offender showed up on campus and was quickly escorted out, according to Deer Valley Unified officials. District leaders told families the person attended the event without the school’s knowledge, and that law enforcement was notified while the district reviews what happened and works with Glendale police on next steps.
In a letter to families, the district said the individual “attended the Candy Land dance at Highland Lakes without the school’s knowledge” and reminded parents that people with a registered sex offender designation are not allowed on campus or at school events, according to 12News. A caller reported the situation to Glendale police at about 9:30 a.m. on March 28, and officers documented the incident. The initial police report did not find an apparent criminal element, and as of March 30 there had been no arrests or charges, according to the department.
Where it happened
Highland Lakes is a K-8 campus in the Deer Valley Unified School District, serving students from kindergarten through eighth grade. The school’s website posts calendars, event information and contact details for families; Highland Lakes School is located in north Glendale.
District response
According to the district’s letter, school administrators “promptly escorted” the individual off campus on Friday and stressed that “information circulating online may not be fully accurate,” as reported by 12News. Deer Valley Unified said it is following its established safety procedures and coordinating with Glendale police while families receive direct communication from the school.
What parents should know
Families who want to check a person’s registration status can use public tools such as the Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender Public Website, which maintains a searchable national index. NSOPW and sample district guidance indicate that schools typically work with law enforcement and a designated district liaison when determining if and how to notify families. For one example of that kind of written guidance, some districts reference an annual parent notice, such as the Eureka Union School District annual parent notice (PDF).
How to get more information
Families with questions can contact the Highland Lakes main office at 623-376-4300 or the Deer Valley Unified district office at 623-445-5000 for updates and safety resources. Both the school and the district maintain phone and website contacts for security and communications, and parents who see concerning activity are urged to report it to local law enforcement.
