Fourth girl accuses Gig Harbor teacher of child molestation. Additional charges filed
Editor’s note: This story contains descriptions of alleged sexual assault.
A Peninsula School District fifth grade teacher and Gig Harbor church deacon is facing additional child molestation charges after a fourth student alleged that he groped and threatened her several times while in his class.
Pierce County prosecutors initially charged Jordan Roy Henderson, 34, with nine counts of first-degree molestation on April 19 following a two-month investigation. Three additional first-degree child molestation charges were added Wednesday, court records show.
Three of Henderson’s Evergreen Elementary School students alleged he sexually abused them while in class, charging documents show. The victims were as young as 10.
A fourth girl came forward recently to say that Henderson also touched her inappropriately multiple times while she was in his class, charging documents show.
Henderson appeared at Pierce County Superior Court for re-arraignment on Wednesday morning, court records show. He posted a $100,000 bond on April 22 and was arrested again on May 30 for violating his release conditions, a previous News Tribune story reported.
Court Commissioner Barbara McInvaille increased Henderson’s bail to $750,000, which he posted on June 3, records show. Henderson remains out of custody on bond.
Charging details
The child spoke to detectives on June 14 after she saw news accounts that Henderson had been arrested. She said she felt safe enough to tell her mom about Henderson’s alleged abuse because she thought he was in jail, documents show.
The child told detectives she was scared of Henderson because he warned her that if she told anybody about the “stuff that was happening” he would find where she lived and come to her house, documents show. She alleged he was worried about her telling people that he was touching some of the girls in her class inappropriately.
In one instance during class, she asked Henderson for help at her desk. He put his arm around her and touched her “bottom” while other students around them were working. She asked him to stop and he then made the comment about finding her house, documents show.
The child said during another timein class, Henderson came around her and hugged her from behind. He allegedly pushed his front, or “boy part,” against her, and it made the child uncomfortable, documents show. He continued doing it until she asked him to stop. She had to force herself out of his grasp. The child said this incident made her feel “not good,” “grossed out” and “confused.”
The child told detectives of two other instances where Henderson would hug her and “it felt weird.” During the start of fourth grade, Henderson hugged her and put his hands on her upper chest area, document show. In another time he hugged her in a “loving” way. She commented that she did not think it was how a teacher should hug a student.
The child said she sometimes stays awake at night because she is afraid he will find her and do something to her. Other victims have said previously that they were scared of Henderson. One child said at Henderson’s arraignment in April while in tears, “I’m scared he’s gonna come back.”
Kevin Hastings, an attorney at Pfau Cochran Vertetis Amala (PCVA), is representing three families whose children were allegedly victimized. He told The News Tribune that the childrens’ trust was breached from Henderson’s alleged actions.
He said the children are doing as best as they can and seeking therapy. The allegations have had a significant impact on their families. The children’s parents have a “tremendous” amount of guilt in watching their children go through this and are wondering what they could have done differently, Hastins said.
“They were entrusting the care and safety of their children with the school,” he said. “The entire community has significant questions on how this can possibly happen at the Peninsula School District.”
Henderson began his career as an substitute teacher in 2012-13 at the Peninsula School District. He has since been an educator at the district for over 10 years.
Henderson is also a deacon at the Wellspring Fellowship Church in Key Peninsula where his father is the pastor. The church has stated its support for Henderson through Facebook posts.
Henderson has been on administrative leave from the school district since the investigation began. A Peninsula School District spokesperson said they are waiting for the results of the police investigation to be turned over before it is determined what the next step will be.
