DENVER — A Valdez Elementary School staff member has been charged with sexual assault on a student, Denver Public Schools reported.
Parents at the school learned of the charge against Matthew Melendez on Friday. Melendez, a paraprofessional at the pre-kindergarten to 5th grade school, is on unpaid leave after being charged with sexual assault on a child by a person in a position of trust, DPS said.
The charge stems from an incident that allegedly occurred last year, according to a letter sent to parents.
“Melendez has been placed on unpaid leave and will not be permitted at our school,” school officials said in the letter.