Girl wanted mom to rub her like Kristen Barnett does

[Dakota Valkyrie]

http://i48.tinypic.com/35akhsh.jpg
A 38-year-old preschool teacher in Nederland was arrested on suspicion of sex assault on a child by a person in a position of trust after a young girl told her parents that her teacher touched her private parts during naptime, according to court documents.

Kristen Carol Barnett, who has been a teacher at Over the Rainbow preschool in Nederland since the summer of 2009, turned herself in at the Boulder County Jail about 8 a.m. Thursday, according to sheriff's Cmdr. Rick Brough.

The mother of the victim -- who is a student at the preschool -- contacted the Sheriff's Office on Dec. 10 to report her suspicions that a teacher at the school had sexually assaulted her child, according to Brough.

According to an arrest warrant, the young girl was at home and lying down for a nap when she asked her mom to "rub her butt," the warrant said. The girl said she wanted her mom to rub "inside like Kristen does," according to the warrant. The child then demonstrated by rolling onto her back and spreading her legs, the warrant said.

The child said her teacher has done the same things to other children at the school, according to the warrant. When questioned by a counselor, the girl said the touching makes her "not feel right," the warrant said.

She said the touching happened "lots" of times, and it was always over her clothes. Investigators tried several times to interview Barnett about the allegations, but she didn't return their phone calls, according to the warrant.

Throughout the investigation, authorities received calls from Nederland residents wanting to "comment about Kristen Barnett's character," according to the warrant.

"While the majority of the callers were accusing Kristen of being dishonest and having questionable ethics, none of them could offer any evidence of other children having been assaulted by Kristen," according to the warrant.

One woman told investigators she knows Barnett from a Bible study and described her as "silly and fun," according to the warrant. The woman did concede that "several children had left the school because of Kristen working there," the warrant said.
[...]
http://www.coloradodaily.com/out-there/ci_14286978

As detectives looked into the abuse allegations against Kristen Barnett, 38 -- who's been teaching at Over the Rainbow preschool since this past summer -- they discovered that three other teachers have criminal records, including one employee who's been arrested on suspicion of child abuse and another who's been arrested on suspicion of battery.

"There's the issue of background checks and a number of other things," said Liz McDonough, spokeswoman for the Colorado Department of Human Services.
[...]

According to court documents and the school's Web site (http://www.overtherainbow-preschool.org/), Over the Rainbow has five staff members -- although Barnett's name has been removed from the online staff list. Marnie Copeland, 39, is identified as executive director on the Web site, Wendy Beatty, 59, is identified as a pre-K teacher, Rachel Schaub, 31, is listed as a preschool teacher and David Driscoll, 24, is a teacher's assistant, according to the site.
[...]

Copeland was arrested in 1997 on suspicion of public indecency in Denver, according to court documents; and Beatty was arrested in 2000 on suspicion of drunken driving and two counts of cruelty to a child, and again in 2005 on suspicion of drunken driving.

Driscoll didn't have a criminal history in Colorado, but he was arrested in Georgia on suspicion of battery in 2005, and a probation violation, drunken driving and driving with a revoked license in 2006, according to court documents. He was sentenced to a North Carolina prison in 2006 for drunken driving charges, records show.
[...]http://www.dailycamera.com/news/ci_14298315

[62julietandvoid]

The girl said she wanted her mom to rub "inside like Kristen does," according to the warrant. The child then demonstrated by rolling onto her back and spreading her legs, the warrant said.
:jaw:

[runecire]

Jumpin' Jesus on a pogo stick!

How the hell did this place get certified? Seems like you could only get hired if you HAVE a criminal background. If other parents earlier were having problems with this woman, I wish they would have spoken up and saved other kids from this nightmare.

Thanks to these parents, this monster will be out of circulation for a while.

Now register, Bitch!!

[Lizard]

Copeland was arrested in 1997 on suspicion of public indecency in Denver,

That would put her at about age 26--this could be youthful hijinks (booby flashing, mooning).

[malq]

This wins for the most disturbing title ever.
What a major breach of trust.

[Dakota Valkyrie]

A Nederland preschool has been shut down by the state because of allegations that one of the teachers sexually assaulted a child.
[...]

State officials said the backgrounds of other employees were not a factor in shutting down the school. Rather, they said, the state has the statutory authority to summarily suspend the license of a facility when one of the staff members is charged with a crime like the one Barnett is accused of.

“It was a safety issue for us,” said Liz McDonough, of the Dept. of Human Services.
[...]

Still, some Nederland residents characterized closing the preschool as a rush to judgment.

"I almost feel like it's an overreaction," said Karla Kemp. "The school made a point as soon as they found out about it to suspend this person. They have no further exposure to children, no further endangerment."

But the suspension order states that “On four different Reports of Inspection, Over the Rainbow was in violation of 7.702.51 – failure of facility to have CBI background checks, Trails inquiries for staff members/employees.”

“These are willful and deliberate violations,” the order states. “To protect the public health, welfare and safety, emergency action is required.”

The e-mail from Over the Rainbow states that board members are trying to speak with the Department of Human Services and planned to appeal the closure. It also states that board members believe the department "acted inappropriately and improperly."
http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/22416327/detail.html

[Dakota Valkyrie]

Charges have been dropped against a preschool teacher accused of sexually assaulting a young girl.

According to court documents obtained by 7News, Kristen Barnett, 38, passed a lie detector test regarding sexual abuse at the Over the Rainbow preschool in Nederland. The court documents also stated that "an investigation and evaluation by Boulder County Social Services found "insufficient evidence to support by even a preponderance of the evidence a finding that Ms. Barnett was involved in sexual abuse."

Last month, the school was closed because of the sexual assault allegations.

On Monday, The district attorney filed a motion to dismiss the charges.

" ... (T)he People do not believe there is a reasonable probability of proving this case to a jury beyond a reasonable doubt," wrote Boulder County District Attorney Stanley Garnett.

"I am innocent of all allegations of sexual abuse made against me. I am grateful to the Boulder District Attorney and Boulder County Social Services for their thorough investigation of this case and today, justice prevails," Barnett wrote in a statement to 7News. "I am dedicated to early childhood education and I always strived to provide the very best care for the children at Over the Rainbow Preschool. To be falsely accused of a crime against a small child at the school was the most terrible thing anyone can imagine."
[...]

"The charges against me have caused great harm to my family, my friends and my personal reputation," wrote Barnett.
http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/22849410/detail.html

After Barnett's arrest, the state initially also suspended Over the Rainbow's child-care license, allowing the school to reopen on Feb. 10.

According to court documents, Over the Rainbow "refused to cooperate with law enforcement" when detectives went to the school to investigate Barnett, and authorities later discovered that several other teachers had criminal backgrounds, including cruelty to a child and battery charges.

Over the Rainbow had to comply with several state mandates to get a probationary license for six months, including laying off one of its teachers, state officials said.

Rachel Matz, president of the preschool's board of directors, said this has been a difficult time for the school and having the case resolved is appreciated.

"We look forward to being able to focus all of our energy on the kids and the future of the school," she said.http://www.coloradodaily.com/out-there/ci_14680100

[Jerri Blank]

wow thats a pretty shocking update..hmm Just don't know about this. hope we don't read about this woman again in the future

[malq]

Wow!
Maybe the reality of it is, she did nothing wrong and the child got that idea peripherally.

Still, my gut want to believe the child. Lie detector tests are not conclusive. I was able to take one once and fooled it. It was a science experiment in college. Then again I am a psychopath.

[Dakota Valkyrie]

I would like to believe the child too. I want to believe the teacher, too.

I do find it curious that only one child has come forward. The alleged abuse does not seem the type that would induce fear into a kid and make a young child keep quiet (I'm sure every parent questioned their kid). Even the initial report was due to an innocent comment by a child. Although it is possible that there is only one victim.

[malq]

Setting aside the sexual abuse allegations, the staff needed a little house keeping.
With the exception of Racheal, they all show records of poor character and bad judgment for their profession. And that's only what they got caught for. It's probably good the school got shut down.
There is always little proof in these circumstances. I have to ask where a kindergartner
get the information to formulate a story like that if it didn't happen. Kids don't lie about this stuff. Especially, under the questioning of a trained counselor. I may be wrong but my instinct is still with the kids story.
If this lady is getting fucked over and it didn't happen, I would rather have that than a child not believed when it did happen. Unfortunately those are the choices.

[Dakota Valkyrie]

Kids don't lie about this stuff. Especially, under the questioning of a trained counselor.
Yes they do. Although it is not usual, it has happened. Also, "trained counselors" have been found to be at fault too (intentionally or not). In addition, there is no way to know if the child had been coached prior to intervention any counselors or law enforcement.

Not saying that is what is happening here, just saying that there have been cases where it is proven that kids lie and counselors mislead or are misled. Not just he said/she said stuff, but proven by facts such as people with absolute alibis or physical evidence that events could not have occurred.

My grandaughter was abused 5 years ago. Her mother and grandma do not, to this day, believe her... despite a confession and conviction. Those two can cite chapter and verse many cases where children have lied even in the face of absolute evidence. It is disgusting (not the lies, the fact that they think that is what is happening)

The very nature of young children's suggestibility takes extreme care in handling. False sex abuse charges ruin lives. I would never want a persons life ruined by it but prefer to err on the side of caution and believe the kids. But unless there is convincing evidence one way or the other, it is a quandary.

[malq]

Yes they do. Although it is not usual, it has happened. Also, "trained counselors" have been found to be at fault too (intentionally or not). In addition, there is no way to know if the child had been coached prior to intervention any counselors or law enforcement.

Not saying that is what is happening here, just saying that there have been cases where it is proven that kids lie and counselors mislead or are misled. Not just he said/she said stuff, but proven by facts such as people with absolute alibis or physical evidence that events could not have occurred.

My grandaughter was abused 5 years ago. Her mother and grandma do not, to this day, believe her... despite a confession and conviction. Those two can cite chapter and verse many cases where children have lied even in the face of absolute evidence. It is disgusting (not the lies, the fact that they think that is what is happening)

The very nature of young children's suggestibility takes extreme care in handling. False sex abuse charges ruin lives. I would never want a persons life ruined by it but prefer to err on the side of caution and believe the kids. But unless there is convincing evidence one way or the other, it is a quandary.
Ok, Ok I should have said don't usually lie. Its a rarity at that age. And when they do they have to know enough about the act itself to make up the lie. Leads to more questions...

[Dakota Valkyrie]

Ok, Ok I should have said don't usually lie. Its a rarity at that age. And when they do they have to know enough about the act itself to make up the lie. Leads to more questions...
In this case, I have a hard time figuring it out mainly because it was just "rubbing" that was alleged. At 4, one of my daughters was embarrassingly (and publicly) aware that rubbing felt good. She discovered that all on her own... repeatedly. Trying to make her stop without making it a "bad thing" took some finesse.

Children frequently get things convoluted in their minds. It could be that she was abused or as simple as a teacher rubbing her back and legs at rest time and that felling occurred and was associated with the teacher. I don't know and I doubt we ever will. I know that as a parent, once my kid made that accusation, I would latch onto it like a pit bull but would try to be objective... but doubt I could be.

[lisahippy]

I know this girl on a very personal level. Twenty years ago she traveled clear from Texas to Seattle to get me and my two small children because my husband (their father) was molesting them. This is simply NOT true!!! Kristen would NEVER harm a small child!! What a horrrible thing to happen to such a sweet girl. My daughter was 5 at the time and she is now an adult and she will never forget how Kristen came and took us into her home. I see she passed the polygraph. How very sad this whole situation is....

[malq]

I know this girl on a very personal level. Twenty years ago she traveled clear from Texas to Seattle to get me and my two small children because my husband (their father) was molesting them. This is simply NOT true!!! Kristen would NEVER harm a small child!! What a horrrible thing to happen to such a sweet girl. My daughter was 5 at the time and she is now an adult and she will never forget how Kristen came and took us into her home. I see she passed the polygraph. How very sad this whole situation is....
So did Kristen discuss what happened with you? The charges were dropped due to insufficient evidence and she passed the polygraph.
She was not exonnerated, The charges were just dismissed. Obviously we cannot assume she did it.
Tell us more other than you think she has good character.

[princessgrandma]

[Then again I am a psychopath.

Maybe Kristen is too. Lie detectors are not infallible. When I was in the military, there was a girl who was contantly stoned and acted like it all the time. An investigation was started b/c she was a single mother with a small child and some things happened that made some people (like neighbors and co-workers) suspicious that the baby wasn't being cared for properly. There was one time when she actually went out partying and left the baby home alone and in her crib.

This girl literally BRAGGED about how she beat the lie detector every time it was given.

Maybe I'll get boo-ed off the stage on this one, but when it comes to the abuse of a child, I'd more inclined to err on the side of caution and take the child's word. This is just my opinion and I hope no one will go off on me for it. It's just that I'd hate for this woman to get away with something and then, farther down the road, find out that she's molested a great number of children.

A teacher is in a position of authority and trust. We trust them with our kids every single day, and with them being authority figures, the child is more than likely going to do what he or she is told.

Now, if these charges are false, I'd be inclined to wonder WTF is going on at home.