Abuse investigation targets teacher

An Othello elementary school teacher is under investigation following allegations of child molestation involving a student.

Lisa Davis is accused of inappropriate behavior with a 10-year-old student who was reportedly in her reading class. She also took the boy to a movie alone, Othello police Chief Steve Dunnagan said.

Detectives investigated the allegations for more than a month before handing over the file to the Adams County Prosecutor’s Office on Monday for a charging decision, Dunnagan said.

The investigation began on May 30 after school officials received information that a teacher was engaging in activities that were “inappropriate or at least unprofessional,” said George Juarez, Othello School District superintendent.

Juarez reported the behavior to police and placed Davis on leave. The teacher resigned June 18, before the investigations by the district and police were completed.

Davis taught 16 years in the school district, officials said. During her tenure she taught third and fifth grades.

The district will forward its investigation to the state Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction for an additional investigation, Juarez said. The state office, which hadn’t received any information as of Tuesday, will determine whether Davis will keep her teaching license.