SANDY — A substitute teacher at a junior high school was arrested by police here and charged Wednesday with sexually abusing one of the students in his class.
Christopher Page, 19, was charged in 3rd District Court with forcible sexual abuse, a first-degree felony. Page was arrested late Monday night.
"It's just really sad when something like this happens," said Granite School District spokesman Ben Horsley.
Page was a substitute teacher at Churchill Junior High School, 3450 E. Oakview Drive. His victim was a 13-year-old girl whom he had met about a year earlier.
"He perpetuated the relationship as a substitute teacher," Horsley said.
The relationship took off about a month ago when the two started texting, said Sandy Police Sgt. Justin Chapman. Monday night, the two decided to meet, and the girl sneaked out of her house, he said.
The couple rendezvoused in a car and parked near 1600 E. Buttercup Drive. About 10:30 p.m. another motorist saw the car and thought it was suspicious and called police, Chapman said. When an officer arrived to check it out, he found the two in a "state of undress," he said.
Page had his shirt off as did the girl, who was trying to hide herself under a blanket, according to court documents. The girl then initially lied to police about her age, claiming she was 16, court documents stated.
"We're very glad we were able to catch this guy," Chapman said.
Both police and school officials believe this was an isolated incident and there were no other victims.
Page was well known around the school. While attending Skyline High School, he worked as a custodian at Churchill after school sweeping floors.
"He has a clean record. He was known in the community and the school," Horsley said. "There were no signs he would take the action he did. But that does not excuse his behavior. We are very distraught this occurred."
Page, who had substituted a couple of times at the school, was terminated immediately after his arrest. The last time he substituted at the school was about two weeks ago, according to court documents.
Despite his age, Page was able to substitute teach because of a severe shortage of people willing to be substitute teachers, said Horsley.
"We have an emergency substitute program," he said.
Anyone with a high school diploma who has a background check, including being fingerprinted, and takes a short training course can be used as a substitute, Horsley said.
"We utilize them as an emergency when we're desperate," he said.
Because Page was already known to school officials, it helped him in becoming a substitute teacher.
"It's unfortunate. Our main concern is the safety of the student," said Churchill Principal Steve Hogan. "We do background checks. This is something the courts will handle. We will work with the parents to provide the student with whatever is necessary."
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