SHAWNEE MISSION, Kan. (AP) — A Shawnee Mission elementary teacher has been charged with a child sex crime, authorities in northeastern Kansas said.
Kim Zier, 63, who worked as a fifth-grade teacher at Pawnee Elementary School before being placed on leave, is charged in Johnson County District Court with one count of aggravated indecent liberties involving a child.
Investigators said he is accused of lewdly fondling or touching a child under the age of 14 on Jan. 28. Zier was arrested Monday and charged the same day. A bond reduction motion filed by Zier’s attorney said Zier has been a teacher for 41 years, serving 31 of those years with the Shawnee Mission School District.
School district spokesman David Smith confirmed that Zier had been placed on administrative leave.
“We take student safety very seriously, and have fully cooperated with the police in their investigation,” Smith said in an email.
Zier is scheduled to appear in court again April 22.