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March 5, 2003

Abuse claimed at School for Deaf

From: Rapid City Journal, SD - 05 Mar 2003

SIOUX FALLS (AP) - The South Dakota School for the Deaf is investigating allegations of sexual abuse involving students at the Sioux Falls school.

Television station KSFY reported Monday that an older student is accused of sexually abusing younger students during school activities.

Lawyer Kenneth Dewell, who is representing parents, told the station the victims are middle-school age. He would not say how many students were involved.

School officials were not immediately available for comment.

"It involved several younger children in the school with a perpetrator that was going to school at the same time," Dewell said.

The School for the Deaf offers a residential program in Sioux Falls and outreach programs to families throughout the state.

About 50 students are enrolled in on-campus programs.

Parents were told about the investigation several weeks ago, Dewell said.

Copyright © 2003 The Rapid City Journal