Mount St. Mary staff members fired during sexual assault investigation

Mount St. Mary Principal Diane Wolfe sent out a statement late Wednesday afternoon saying that both school employees have been fired.

A high school coach accused of an inappropriate relationship with a student and the Athletic Director may have known and failed to report it. Wednesday, both coaches were fired from Mount Saint Mary Academy in Little Rock where the female victim once attended, she is now an adult.

The Little Rock Police Department was notified about the alleged incident Wednesday afternoon, so they have few details on this open investigation. What we do know, the alleged victim told her parents she had a relationship with a coach since 2010 and when the school principal was informed, she called the child abuse hotline.

Many Mounties leaving the all girl’s Catholic school Wednesday still weren’t sure what exactly happened concerning two beloved coaches.

Tuesday, parents of Mount St. Mary students received a lengthy email explaining two staff members were on administrative leave, but stopping short of saying who or why. In short it reads, “This is a challenging time… but rest assured that the safety and education of our students will continue to be our first and foremost priority…. and will update you upon completion of our investigation.”

By Wednesday, Coach Kelly O’Rourke and Athletic Director Kathy Griffin’s information was taken off the school web page.

Later in the afternoon, Little Rock police were officially notified to begin an investigation into a claim a former student had a relationship with 40-year old O’Rourke dating back to 2010.

Griffin is being questioned based on allegations she knew about the relationship and failed to report it.

After students left for the day, school Principal Diane Wolfe confirmed two staff members were fired, she sent Channel Seven this statement, paraphrased it reads, “A faculty member has been terminated for violation of Mount. St. Mary policy governing conduct of faculty and staff.” … “A second employee has been terminated for failure to adhere to state-mandated reporting requirements.”

Lt. Terry Hastings with LRPD says that every person involved in this case is now an adult, but the victim was a minor at one point during the relationship. The case is being investigated as first degree sexual assault.

At this time, O’Rourke and Griffin have not been charged. The school is also conducting an internal investigation.

Statement from Mount St. Mary Academy on terminations

March 14, 2012

“Based on the findings of an internal investigation by Mount St. Mary Academy and a concurrent investigation by the Little Rock Police Department, a member of the MSM faculty has been terminated for violation of Mount St. Mary policy governing conduct of faculty and staff. The employee was placed on Administrative Leave on Sunday, March 11, 2012 immediately after information was received by MSM concerning the employee’s conduct.

This immediate action was taken to remove the employee from the MSM campus and to protect the safety and security of our students. The termination action was taken today by Mount St. Mary Academy upon learning of the findings of the investigation by the Little Rock Police Department.

As part of Mount St. Mary’s internal investigation into events related to this matter, a second employee placed on administrative leave On Monday, March 12, has been terminated for failure to adhere to state-mandated reporting requirements.

Mount St. Mary’s actions with regard to this situation were taken to protect the safety and security of our students which is our foremost priority. In as much as this issue involves pending legal proceedings, and with respect to rights of individual privacy protected by law, Mount St. Mary will have no statements on the details of the allegations.”

Diane Wolfe, Principal – Mount St. Mary Academy

UPDATE: LRPD has released the police report involving the incident at Mount St. Mary’s Academy. To read the report click here.

The case was opened when a former Mount St. Mary student admitted to her parents that she had been involved with teacher and coach, Kelly Ann O’Rourke, 40, since 2010.

Police say that 54-year-old Kathy Griffin, who also works for the academy, was put on administrative leave for failing to report O’ Rourke and the former student’s relationship.

Lt. Terry Hastings with LRPD says that every person involved in this case is now an adult, but the victim was a minor at one point during the relationship. The case is being investigated as first degree sexual assault.

We will update the story as more details come in.

(KATV) Little Rock – Two staff members at Mount. St. Mary Academy in Little Rock are on administrative leave pending the findings of an investigation.

Mount St. Mary Academy is a Catholic private college preparatory school for girls from 9th- 12th grade.

Principal Diane Wolfe sent Channel Seven this written statement, “Two members of the professional staff of Mount St. Mary Academy have been placed on administrative leave pending completion of an investigation being conducted by appropriate jurisdictional agencies in conjunction with, and with the full cooperation of Mount St. Mary Academy. Any further action related to this matter will be taken only after additional investigation and with respect to the safety of students and staff, as well as with respect to rights of privacy of those who may be involved. Mount St. Mary Academy will make no further statement on this matter until the investigation is completed.”

This is the letter sent to parents by Principal Diane Wolfe:

As a valued member of the Mount St. Mary family, I want you to be aware of a situation that was brought to the attention of administration within the past 48 hours. While it would not be appropriate at this stage to discuss specific details, an investigation is continuing into allegations made concerning the conduct of two members of the MSM staff.

We understand and appreciate the interest and concern that you and others in the community may have about this situation. Further, we understand that you may be approached by those in the community. Any comments made should be limited to those in the statement above.

This is a challenging time for MSM, but rest assured that the safety and education of our students will continue to be our first and foremost priority. We want to keep you apprised of the situation and will update you upon completion of our investigation. In the meantime, let me express my sincere appreciation for your continued support of Mount St. Mary.

Source : katv