Young children molested and raped by Summerfield employee
I can't believe how few people seem to know about this. A young local man who cared for children at Summerfield Waldorf School and elsewhere was arrested last week for "rape of an intoxicated victim, attempted rape, oral copulation by force, possession of child pornography, unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor and annoying a child," according to the Press Democrat. He had *already* been arrested arrested in December for committing sex acts with a four-year-old child and had been released on bail. I am so appalled and disgusted that this happened so close to home, that Summerfield apparently tried to cover it up (I heard this from an insider), and that even with the PD article not many people seem to know. I tried to post the article to West County News Feed on FB and it's not showing up, and I had no reply from a message to the group inquiring into its absence. Is any of this strange to anyone else?!
https://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/5...e-suspected-of
Summerfield-Waldorf after-school aide suspected of molesting 3 children
JULIE JOHNSON ~ THE PRESS DEMOCRAT | February 11, 2016, 5:37PM
A 21-year-old Santa Rosa man suspected of molesting three children, including at least one student at the Summerfield Waldorf School and Farm where he worked as an after-school aide, was arrested Thursday, Sonoma County sheriff’s officials said.
Christopher Harmon originally was arrested in December on suspicion of engaging in sexual acts with a 4-year-old child, Sgt. Cecile Focha said. He posted bond on $100,000 bail and was released.
However, detectives suspected Harmon of additional crimes and continued investigating while he was out on bail. They uncovered evidence he had abused two other children, Focha said.
On Thursday, after Harmon appeared in court for a hearing on the December case, detectives confronted him outside the courthouse and arrested him on suspicion of the additional crimes: Rape of an intoxicated victim, attempted rape, oral copulation by force, possession of child pornography, unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor and annoying a child, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Harmon was booked into the Sonoma County Jail in lieu of $200,000 bail and is scheduled to appear in court at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Summerfield’s Lower School Coordinator James Lloyd said that the investigation began in December when school staff “became aware of the allegations” and alerted child protective services and the Sheriff’s Office.
“The school’s Governance Council took immediate steps to remove Mr. Harmon from the campus and school events, and cautioned families about having contact with him until more information was available,” Lloyd said in an email late Thursday.
Lloyd said that the school has assembled a team of professionals to help the students and staff “address this difficult situation.”
“Our priority is, and has always been the safety and well-being of our students,” he said.
Focha said they would not release the gender or specific ages of the other children in order to protect their identities due to the nature of the crimes. She declined to say if more than one of the children were students at the school. None of the crimes were suspected to have taken place while he was out on bail.
Anyone with information about the case can contact the investigations unit at 565-8521 or submit information anonymously through the website at sonomasheriff.org/silent-witness.
Re: Young children molested and raped by Summerfield employee
I'm glad that you posted this. I read this in the PD a few days ago, and was going to post, but hoped that someone else might do it.
Of course the school would try to cover it up. Imagine what might happen if parents knew about this? It would bring unwanted attention, which in turn could lead to loss of "bottom line".
Children need to be educated about these things, but not all parents are willing to speak about it. I also wish that the schools themselves had a program to teach children to speak of these things to a parent or teacher or both.
When I was a child, I shared with my father about being approached by a man who wanted to arrange a "meeting" at the local theater so we could go to his house. My father said "You're going to meet him....and I'll be right behind you!" And he was. He tackled this guy. People called the police, and my dad was handcuffed before I spoke up. I had to testify in court, and the man went to jail for a year. There seems to be much more leniency nowadays, even when children are actually sexually abused. (This was in Los Angeles in 1954)
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Posted in reply to the post by katelands:
I can't believe how few people seem to know about this...Summerfield-Waldorf after-school aide suspected of molesting 3 children
Re: Young children molested and raped by Summerfield employee
This was reported on NIXLE over a week ago...it is free to sign up and get notifications from the all the Sonoma county law enforcement agencies. you get the notices well before they hit the newspaper.
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Posted in reply to the post by katelands:
I can't believe how few people seem to know about this...
Re: Young children molested and raped by Summerfield employee
That's so wonderful that you had the courage to tell your father, that he was there for you, and that the man ultimately was held responsible. I wish the countless number of other children victimized were as lucky. The subject is definitely not given enough attention in schools or in the general community. It happens much more frequently than anyone wants to believe.
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Posted in reply to the post by Shandi:
...When I was a child, I shared with my father about being approached by a man ...
Re: Young children molested and raped by Summerfield employee
Being a parent of a Summerfield student, I take offense at this posting and the way it insinuates that Summerfield has done anything wrong in this instance. In my opinion, the school has done a great job of informing the parent body of the issue. It was not "covered up" at all. In fact, it appears to me that they were quite diligent in handling the situation in a way that was ethical, legal, and PC. Not only have they kept the parent body informed of everything that was happening legally to handle this horrible situation, but they proactively had support people coming in to work with students, teachers, and parents who needed information to handle something like this.
Certainly, it's a terrible thing when a perpetrator infiltrates any organization especially one where there are so many vulnerable lives at stake, but let's be clear about who the perpetrator is here and not try and demonize the school just because they were the ground upon which the perp played out his sickness. The school had put him under the same background checks that they do with all their employees and the school dismissed him as soon as they heard anything questionable about his behavior. What else can an organization do? Please people, be careful of who you demonize. In a world where so many organizations overlook people for profits or are overburdened by too much government involvement, can we have some graciousness regarding kind hearted people who work tirelessly to educate kids and are barely paid enough to live in Sonoma County?
No one was kept in the dark about the situation.
Re: Young children molested and raped by Summerfield employee
Not trying to demonize the school, just repeating what I heard and noticed. I learned part of the story weeks before it was reported and couldn't understand why there was absolutely nothing in the news. I then asked several people from Summerfield, one of whom literally told me it was "hush hush." When I finally saw something in the PD, after his second arrest, I couldn't even get that article on the WC News Feed, which seemed especially fishy. This is a guy who was working with kids all around our community, not just at Summerfield. Parents, all parents in the area, should have known as soon as they knew at Summerfield. I'm obviously not holding the school responsible for his crimes. I do question why it took so long to become public information, and why there isn't more reporting about it.
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Posted in reply to the post by Nadia R Wolf:
Being a parent of a Summerfield student, I take offense at this posting and the way it insinuates that Summerfield has done anything wrong in this instance...
Re: Young children molested and raped by Summerfield employee
I think "questioning why it took so long to become public" is a very good thing to question. I think saying that Summerfield was "trying to cover something up" is a whole other thing. Perhaps it was the police departments responsibility to bring the original allegations up to the other organizations where we worked. But the truth is, I don't know if this had or hadn't been done. It's all hearsay to me. All I know is that as a parent at Summerfield, we WERE INFORMED and the school acted proactively to help students and families alike to help deal with the situation and to help protect students by educating them about what's safe and what's not. I was impressed about how well they handled the situation and how forthcoming they were. Yea, it really stinks that it happened at all. My hope is that good people and organizations don't become the targets of blame or distrust over the foul deeds of others.
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Posted in reply to the post by katelands:
Not trying to demonize the school, just repeating what I heard and noticed. I learned part of the story weeks before it was reported and couldn't understand why there was absolutely nothing in the news. I then asked several people from Summerfield, one of whom literally told me it was "hush hush." ...
Re: Young children molested and raped by Summerfield employee
Personally i think "Katelands" is RIGHT to question why? It would seem odd that a person could not post..just saying.
Also i feel strongly when EVER there is someone suspected of ANY horrific crime i.e ..murder, rape (sexual abuse is always listed in a "separate" way which is ABSURD ..rape is rape..i hate that they use words to soften something that is just vile no matter if another ACTUALLY penetrates with ANYTHING including a Penis) sigh "sexual abuse" they SHOULD be kept in jail WITHOUT BAIL...this sadly happens a lot . Those out on bail either flee or do something again because a lot of them can NOT control their compulsions ..having worked as a "crisis counselor" for many years i can attest to this as fact...sadly..So kudos "Katelands" for caring which is extremely commendable.
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Posted in reply to the post by katelands:
I can't believe how few people seem to know about this. ...
1 Attachment(s)
Re: Young children molested and raped by Summerfield employee
Former Santa Rosa school aide arrested third time for alleged sexual assault of minor
Vince Cestone and Shannon Conkling
Published: March 4, 2016, 7:36 pm
SANTA ROSA (KRON) — The same man has been arrested for the third time by police for child sexual assaults, according to the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office.
Christopher Harmon, 21, who used to be an employee at the Summerfield Waldorf School, was arrested for molesting a four-year-old child. And others who have claimed they were assaulted by Harmon came forward during the investigation.
After surrendering at the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office, he was booked for rape of a drugged victim, unlawful sex with a minor, and oral copulation of a minor.
He was booked into Sonoma County Jail under $200,000 bail.
Harmon was previously arrested in December on suspicion of committing sex acts with a 4-year-old child, but he posted bail and was released, sheriff’s Sgt. Cecile Focha said.
Harmon was arrested again on Feb. 11 on suspicion of raping an intoxicated victim, attempted rape, possession of child pornography and having sex with a minor, but he posted bail again and was released, Focha said.
An additional minor victim who saw previous news stories about Harmon’s arrest contacted the sheriff’s office to report she was lured into a relationship with Harmon while she was a minor and after he ingratiated himself to her family, Focha said.
The victim said she was coerced into sex acts and was raped after Harmon served her intoxicants from August 2014 and into 2015 in unincorporated Sonoma County outside Sebastopol, Focha said.
Harmon surrendered March 2 and is to be arraigned on new charges Wednesday in Sonoma County Superior Court. He is being held under $200,000 bail.
Bay City News contributed to this report
Re: Young children molested and raped by Summerfield employee
So VILE i do NOT understand why his bail is so freaking LOW or that they are EVEN allowing bail!!!! He was out on bail when he did it again..he obviously is a sick person and trust that is NOT going away anytime soon...what the heck is wrong with the "judicial system" to allow this to continue???
JEEZ if a "person" gets arrested for sexual abuse of Children OR Anyone for that matter the bail should NOT be allowed until they can guarantee (which NO one really can) they will not "jump bail" especially in Murder or Sexual abuse cases...when are they going to learn...sigh.:hmmm: ...
Re: Young children molested and raped by Summerfield employee
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Posted in reply to the post by pixeeenation:
So VILE i do NOT understand why his bail is so freaking LOW or that they are EVEN allowing bail!!!! He was out on bail when he did it again..he obviously is a sick person and trust that is NOT going away anytime soon...what the heck is wrong with the "judicial system" to allow this to continue???
JEEZ if a "person" gets arrested for sexual abuse of Children OR Anyone for that matter the bail should NOT be allowed until they can guarantee (which NO one really can) they will not "jump bail" especially in Murder or Sexual abuse cases...when are they going to learn...sigh.:hmmm: ...
It's this silly little document called the Constitution of the United States of America, and more specifically, Article VIII in what's commonly known as the Bill of Rights, to wit: "Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted".
Which is too bad, because inflicting some cruel and unusual punishments might deter crime. However, if anyone might have noticed, there was a case in Lake County, CA which involved an innocent person. ( https://www.lakeconews.com/index.php...est&Itemid=197 ) He wound up spending 18 years in prison, and finally the woman (girl at the time) finally came forward and told prosecutors she made it all up.
Has Christopher Harmon had a trial? No. Has he had a chance to present his side? No. You've chosen to convict him already. Am I defending him? No, the acts are reprehensible, and I couldn't stomach the idea of providing a defense for him if he's guilty of any part of the accusations.
His life is ruined, regardless of his guilt or innocence.
If he's found guilty, then perhaps you can continue with your rope tying party for the lynching.
Re: Young children molested and raped by Summerfield employee
"Bail may be refused and the accused held in custody if the police or courts are satisfied that there is an unacceptable risk that the offender would:
- not appear in court
- commit further offences while on bail
- endanger the safety or welfare of the public, or
- interfere with witnesses (including the victim) or obstruct the course of justice."
With the number of victims and amount of evidence on hand, it seems reasonable to believe that he could commit further offences. I don't personally care if his life is ruined, I care about the number of lives he has ruined and might continue to ruin while he is out there as a free man.
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Posted in reply to the post by Imagery:
It's this silly little document called the Constitution of the United States of America, and more specifically, Article VIII in what's commonly known as the Bill of Rights, to wit: "Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted"....
Re: Young children molested and raped by Summerfield employee
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Posted in reply to the post by katelands:
"Bail may be refused and the accused held in custody if the police or courts are satisfied that there is an unacceptable risk that the offender would:
- not appear in court
- commit further offences while on bail
- endanger the safety or welfare of the public, or
- interfere with witnesses (including the victim) or obstruct the course of justice."
With the number of victims and amount of evidence on hand, it seems reasonable to believe that he could commit further offences. I don't personally care if his life is ruined, I care about the number of lives he has ruined and might continue to ruin while he is out there as a free man.
Into which category do you think he falls? You seem to be under the impression that he committed the new crimes while on bail. This is not the case. While he was on bail a new complainant came forward alleging crimes committed before the first arrest. He has now been arraigned on these additional charges, with additional bail. The nature of the charges aside, he has shown no particular propensity to violate his bail.
Patrick Brinton
Re: Young children molested and raped by Summerfield employee
Sadly as a retired "Family Crisis Counselor" i can tell You that "even" if there is a mistake in someone being prosecuted for ANY crime they did not commit YES that is wrong and i am very aware that mistakes happen ALL too often in our "judicial" system.. ..HOWEVER to site the "constitution" on what is considered "excessive bail ..& cruel & unusual punishments inflicted" according to "slave" owner colonists that exploit Indigenous Human Beings of this country (by the way they were NOT part of the "all People are created equal" equation) sadly is NOT going to work with EVERY case.
I am extremely compassionate yet i must ALSO consider THE fact that MANY "pedifiles" are MOSTLY the "victims" of "sexual abuse" themselves as Children ...which is TRULY Heartbreaking ..THIS being said it is a "cycle" of behavior that mostly ALWAYS has no real cure...so we need to ask ourselves ..(and i am NOT speaking of "cruel or inhumane punishment" ) would you rather someone "suspected' of one of the MOST vile crimes (that can actually can produce pedifilla) be allowed to run around & rape another Child? OR ..keep them under lock up UNTIL he or she is PROVEN to NOT have done these heinous acts upon our Children and have the Peace of Mind that a potentially extremely dangerous person is KEPT away from others until the case can be thoroughly reviewed.
Please understand i am devastated whenever i hear anyone that is innocent is locked away in prison..the fact is though i would rather know that potentially locking someone "suspected" of raping or molesting or any act of violence for that matter to prevent EVEN a small possibility of them doing it again & PERMANENTLY harming a Child until it can be proven otherwise IS THE BEST solution.
I was a Child of this kind of garbage because i lived near a School & sadly unbalanced fiends LOVE to hang out at Schools this is a huge problem...so sadly we need to keep them away until it gets cleared..and being in jail without bail DOES not necessarily mean "cruel & inhumane" treatment...just keep him there until it is cleared up..Dang what is your suggestion let him out to do more? Sorry i vehemently disagree..this is not a victimless crime....This is a crime that infects communities for a VERY LONG TIME...thus the never ending cycle of sexual abuse continues... :candle::candle: for those Children to be safe...
Quote:
Posted in reply to the post by Imagery:
It's this silly little document called the Constitution of the United States of America, and more specifically, Article VIII in what's commonly known as the Bill of Rights, to wit: "Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted"....
Re: Young children molested and raped by Summerfield employee
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Posted in reply to the post by pixeee nation:
Sadly as a retired "Family Crisis Counselor"...
I'm sorry to read that you've been so adversely affected by your life experience that you choose to ignore basic human rights when it suits you. You're fortunate to be in the 1% who believes that $200,000 (the bail amount) is a low amount of money. You can buy a lot of 'justice' with that kind of money.
Perhaps you will take some time to re-think your position, and come back with a well-thought out, reasonable dialogue of reasoning behind your outrage. Just to make this absolutely perfectly crystal clear, I am NOT defending Christopher Harmon, I'm NOT condoning his alleged actions in any way, shape, form or manner, and if he is guilty of any of the accusations, he should be punished accordingly. I'm answering your question of why this person was let out on bail.
Good day.
Re: Young children molested and raped by Summerfield employee
As a Summerfield parent I want to say that we were informed months ago of this allegation. The school has handled it very professionally and offered support to families.
It is unfair to place any blame on Summerfield...without understanding the full story. I wish we could change the wording of this thread.
Of course it is terrible to think a pedophile had access to children at any school. But it seems the school did due diligence in background checking of employees.
