Richland teacher accused of sexually abusing teen girl

By Paula Horton

A Richland School District teacher is being accused of sexually abusing a teen girl at a Richland home.

Daryl Rachinski, 58, went to the Richland police station June 12 and reported the sexual contact happened the weekend before, said Richland police Capt. Mike Cobb.

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Rachinski was a foreign language teacher at Hanford High School last school year, according to the school’s website. He started working in Richland in fall 1994, district officials said.

The school district learned about the alleged incident when Rachinski turned himself in to police, and officials began their own investigation. Superintendent Jim Busey said Rachinski was immediately placed on administrative leave.

School already was out for the year — the last day was June 11 — so Rachinski’s contract already was over and it was not a paid leave, Busey told the Herald. He was, however, prevented from accessing any school district property or talking to any students or staff.

“It’s a very unfortunate situation,” Busey said. “We want to make sure we work with the family and the student involved in any way possible.”

Busey said the district’s investigation was nearly completed, but Rachinski turned in his resignation June 19 before anything was finalized. The Richland School Board accepted the resignation at a special meeting June 20.

Details about the district’s investigation were not released.

There are no allegations that the sexual contact occurred on school district property or during any school-related activities, Capt. Cobb said.

Rachinski has been charged in Benton County Superior Court with third-degree rape.

According to court documents, the incident occurred June 10 when Rachinski caressed the girl’s hair and shoulders. At one point, the victim reportedly asked him, “What are you doing?” and then he sexually assaulted her, according to police.

Rachinski later apologized to the teen and said he had never done that before, documents stated. The victim said she was going to tell someone at school, so he went to Richland police and reported it, documents stated.

He allegedly admitted to the sexual assault but said the victim provoked him to do it.

Rachinski was not arrested but has been sent a summons to appear in court July 5. He also has been ordered not to have any contact with the victim.

Source : tri-cityherald