Oregon Strip-Search Case Turned Over To State Police Mcminnville Parents Angered Over Incident At Middle School

Wed., Feb. 4, 1998

Associated Press

Amid an uproar from parents, Oregon State Police investigators began looking into allegations Tuesday that 30 Duniway Middle School girls were strip-searched.

Police have denied there was a full strip search, but apologized to parents door-to-door last week, saying two female officers went too far in their search of the seventh- and eighth-graders.

State police took over the investigation at the request of McMinnville Police Chief Rod Brown.

“Because of the seriousness of the allegations and the emotions involved, we want to ensure the credibility of this investigation by utilizing an unbiased, outside organization,” Brown said.

Lt. Mike White, leading the team of two female and two male state police investigators, met Tuesday morning with Brown, city officials and McMinnville police not involved in the search.

State police spokesman Lt. Greg Hastings said they are not doing an internal investigation of the McMinnville Police.

Hastings does not know how long the investigation will take, but said that it will be turned over to prosecutors when complete.

McMinnville police and school officials acknowledged that the 12- to 14-year-old girls were asked to loosen their clothing in a search for compact discs, makeup and $30 in cash missing from a locker room.

The girls maintain they were told to drop their panties, lift their shirts and shake out their bras.

Meanwhile, the school board is conducting its own investigation, and the teachers involved are not at school while it occurs, Superintendent Elaine Taylor said.

Kent Stuart has been removed as the school-based police officer until an investigation is complete, according to police.

In a heated school board meeting Monday night, more than 50 parents showed up to demand tougher action against those responsible.

“Any adult who knows that this was going on, we want them fired,” said parent Brandy Comeau. “This was an atrocity.” At least one parent of a girl who was searched has filed an intent to sue school officials and police.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.