Teacher Faces Child Molestation Charges
Students Shocked By Allegations
POSTED: 7:16 p.m. PST March 22, 2004
UPDATED: 7:22 p.m. PST March 22, 2004
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- A Bakersfield High School teacher, accused of child molestation, faced a judge Monday, KERO reported.
Michael Harkleroad, (pictured, left), was arraigned Monday and pleaded not guilty.
Harkleroad teaches math at Bakersfield High School. He was arrested last Thursday after allegations of child molestation.
Court records show he was accused of repeatedly molesting a girl under the age of 14 between 1995 to 1998. The girl was not one of his students. However, records showed he had frequent contact with her.
Many students at Bakersfield High School heard about Harkleroad's arrest Monday for the first time. They were shocked.
"When I got to school, everyone was like, 'Did you hear about the math teacher?' I was like, 'What?'" said one BHS student.
In the meantime, district officials said Harkleroad has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the case.
Harkleroad has been a teacher at BHS for two years. He is scheduled to return to court on April 12.
Michael Harkleroad, (pictured, left), was arraigned Monday and pleaded not guilty.
Harkleroad teaches math at Bakersfield High School. He was arrested last Thursday after allegations of child molestation.
Court records show he was accused of repeatedly molesting a girl under the age of 14 between 1995 to 1998. The girl was not one of his students. However, records showed he had frequent contact with her.
Many students at Bakersfield High School heard about Harkleroad's arrest Monday for the first time. They were shocked.
"When I got to school, everyone was like, 'Did you hear about the math teacher?' I was like, 'What?'" said one BHS student.
In the meantime, district officials said Harkleroad has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the case.
Harkleroad has been a teacher at BHS for two years. He is scheduled to return to court on April 12.Copyright 2004 by TheBakersfieldChannel.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
