Parents in disbelief over molestation probe

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - Parents reacted with disbelief Tuesday as additional details emerged about child molestation allegations against the principal of a private elementary school in Northern California that was shut down by the state.

Police said Robert B. Adams, the principal and founder of Creative Frontiers School in the Sacramento suburb of Citrus Heights, is the focus of the investigation after several former and current students made allegations against him that date back 15 years.

The California Department of Social Services suspended the school's child day care and business licenses on Monday. An attorney for Adams denied the allegations.

A complaint filed by the department stated that several female students said Adams had touched them inappropriately and that at least one staff member at the school was aware of the complaints but did not report them.

Adams touched the students all over their bodies, including slipping his hand under their swimsuits and clothing, according to the complaint.

"On numerous occasions, respondent Adams touched female children's bodies under their shirts and down their pants," the complaint said.

It went on to say that Adams also would "seclude female children under a computer desk and lie down with them on a mat in his office."

Adams has not been arrested, and police say they are proceeding cautiously with the investigation.

"I have to point out Mr. Adams is not under arrest and an arrest warrant has not been issued," Citrus Heights police spokesman Jon Kempf said. "Due to the sensitive nature of this investigation, we want to move slowly and cautiously."

Kempf said there are more than 10 children involved but declined to say exactly how many or if they were part of the preschool or the elementary school.

The complaint also lists an office administrator, Cynthia Higgins, as being aware of some of the allegations but failing to report them. Attempts to reach Higgins were unsuccessful and telephone messages left at the school over two days were not returned.

Parents said they were surprised by the allegations against Adams, whom the children refer to as "Mr. Bob." Many of them were posting messages of support on the school's Facebook page.