Article reposted from WOODTV.COM
Author:WOODTV.COM
Authorities are investigating an inappropriate relationship involving an athletic trainer at Lakewood High School and a recent graduate.
The trainer in question is a Spectrum Health employee who contracted with the district.
According to a statement from Lakewood Superintendent Randy Fleenor, the trainer was barred from district property and that the district asked Spectrum Health to reassign her. She has since been fired.
The Barry County Sheriff’s Office, which is handling the investigation along with Portland police, says the report of the situation came in on Oct. 21. Children’s Protective Services has been notified.
The district believes this is an isolated incident and said it doesn’t think any current students were involved.
Spectrum Health provided this statement Thursday:
“Spectrum Health employees are expected to follow the highest ethical standards and undergo extensive background checks before they are hired. We were very disappointed to learn of the behavior of this athletic trainer. Spectrum Health has terminated the trainer’s employment.”
A Spectrum spokesperson went on to say after a separate criminal sexual conduct case involving a contracted trainer inappropriately touching Kent City High School students earlier this year, Spectrum created new guidelines for its trainers “to further ensure and safety and privacy of students.” The spokesperson said the incident involving the Lakewood trainer, though it was reported only recently, happened several months before the Kent City incident and the new guidelines.
