A Pleasant Grove Independent School District special education teacher has been arrested on multiple felony charges including Sexual Abuse of a Disabled Person following an investigation by the Texarkana Texas Police Department.
Jeffrey Parker, 63, of Queen City, was taken into custody Thursday in Cass County by the Texas Department of Public Safety on warrants issued by Texarkana Texas Police. Parker is charged with one count of Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Disabled Person and three counts of Improper Relationship Between an Educator and Student.
According to police, the investigation began Monday after Pleasant Grove ISD Police Chief Jake Klar contacted the Texarkana Texas Police Department regarding an anonymous tip. Detective Tabitha Smith led the investigation and developed evidence supporting the allegations, which resulted in multiple felony warrants being issued for Parker’s arrest.
Parker, who has been employed as a special education teacher at Pleasant Grove ISD, is currently being held in the Cass County Jail. Authorities say he is expected to be transferred to the Bi-State Justice Center in the coming days.
In a message sent to parents and guardians Thursday afternoon, Pleasant Grove ISD said district officials immediately began investigating after receiving the anonymous report on April 27. The district said it promptly referred the matter to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, the Texarkana Texas Police Department, and the Texas Education Agency.
District officials also confirmed that Parker was removed from campus and will not return to Pleasant Grove ISD.
“The safety and well-being of our students is our highest priority,” the district said in its statement. “We want our students, families and community to know that we take allegations of this nature with the utmost seriousness.”
Because the case involves a student and remains under investigation, district officials said they are limited in what information they can publicly release under state and federal privacy laws.
The Texarkana Texas Police Department says the investigation remains active and ongoing. Anyone with additional information related to the case is encouraged to contact law enforcement.
As with all criminal cases, the charges against Parker are allegations, and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
