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Dallas Elementary Teacher Jailed On Sexual Abuse Charges

Stella M. Chávez
/
KERA News

A Dallas elementary school teacher is in jail on felony charges of continuous sexual abuse and indecency with a child.

Jorge Ruiz, 53, is a pre-K bilingual teacher at Kramer Elementary in North Dallas. He was featured in a KERA story last year about students learning to speak in complete sentences.

At a press conference on Wednesday, Assistant Chief Christina Smith said that police were contacted earlier this week about the incident involving the first victim. She said the girl was around 7 years old at the time.

A second victim came forward after police began investigating. Smith said police plan to interview possible additional victims.

“I would encourage the parents to discuss these situations with their kids, listen to their children because children will give them information and if they have anything that is concerning to them to contact the police department," Smith said.

Ruiz is being held at Lew Sterrett Jail with bail set at $100,000 for each offense. The charges are considered first and second degree felonies. Police say he has no previous arrests.

Stella M. Chávez is KERA’s immigration/demographics reporter/blogger. Her journalism roots run deep: She spent a decade and a half in newspapers – including seven years at The Dallas Morning News, where she covered education and won the Livingston Award for National Reporting, which is given annually to the best journalists across the country under age 35.