Kenosha County elementary school staffer jailed for sexual misconduct
KENOSHA COUNTY, Wis. - A Kenosha County elementary school staff member was taken into custody, accused of sexual misconduct involving a child, on Wednesday.
Parents at Riverview Elementary in Silver Lake told FOX6 News they feel shocked and outraged – and are still trying to process the news.
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"I'm disgusted, you know? These are young kids," parent Jessica Sade said.
"It just blows my mind that something like this would happen at this school," said parent Jessica Dechow, who told FOX6 the staff member was an aid to her child. "My heart just sunk. It fell. We're still trying to deal with it."
Riverview Elementary, Silver Lake
The Kenosha County Sheriff's Department's Sensitive Crime Unit began an investigation into the 33-year-old woman on Wednesday. Officials said the alleged misconduct involved a current and former student of the school. Officials said, while it is early in this investigation, they determined the misconduct did not happen during school hours or on school property.
"I was very upset that she would choose to use, potentially, her position to abuse a child, when she's supposed to be seen as a mentor," said parent Ashlyn Witting.
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Public records show the 33-year-old woman was booked on pending charges of first-degree child sexual assault with a person under the age of 13, exposing genitals/intimate parts to a child, child exploitation and possession of child pornography. The Kenosha County Sheriff's Department identified her as Anna-Marie Crocker and provided a photo.
"She deserves to be in jail. It's gross, and people like that don't deserve to be out, because who knows how many times it's going to happen," said Sade.
Anna-Marie Crocker (Photo provided by Kenosha County Sheriff's Department)
According to the school district's website, the woman started as a substitute in 2020 and became a full-time educational assistant the following year. Parents, like Witting, said situations like this are uncomfortable but spark necessary conversations with children.
"We explain to them sometimes there are adults out there who choose to make scary choices for children, and here are some of the warning signs," Witting said.
More charges may be forthcoming as the investigation unfolds. Investigators encourage anyone with pertinent information on this case to come forward. Simply contact the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department Detective Bureau at 262-605-5102.
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Letter from Kim Taylor, school district administrator, to families:
Dear Riverview School Families and Staff,
I want to follow up on the communication I sent you earlier today regarding the arrest of a Riverview School staff member by the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department. The statement from the Sheriff earlier this evening indicated that the alleged misconduct did not occur during school hours or on school property. We remain in contact with local law enforcement to support their ongoing investigation.
We understand that this situation can be difficult for our students, families and staff to process. Please know that our school counselors are here and ready to provide support as needed. We strongly encourage any students who need some extra help to visit the counseling office at any time—they are here for you. We have asked our teachers to direct all questions and concerns to administrators or our school counselors.
We want to remind everyone of the importance of being vigilant and report any concerns to our administration. This is distressing news and we understand that emotions can impact behavior so we want to stress the importance of maintaining a respectful environment for all individuals. Our focus at this time is on our students and making sure they have access to the safe, supportive, and welcoming learning environment they need and deserve.
Thank you for your attention to this important update. I am available for questions and look forward to continuing to support all students.