At least one of the suspects in an alleged sexual assault incident at Juanita High School is now attending another high school in the Lake Washington School District (LWSD) despite being placed on emergency expulsion. This comes as two football coaches, who were not involved in the actual incident according to Reporter sources, are still on paid administrative leave pending the results of the LWSD investigation. The Kirkland Police Department (KPD) has also not concluded its investigation into the incident. The King County Prosecutor’s Office is still reviewing the case for charges. It is unclear whether the students will be charged as juveniles or adults in the case.

Four sophomore football players were arrested for attacking the special-needs student in the high school locker room after school on Oct. 22. A fifth student was arrested later. The alleged suspects were immediately given an emergency expulsion. The Reporter has also confirmed that at least one of the suspects is also being allowed to once again play sports for his new high school.

The LWSD has confirmed that another one of the suspects has a record of repeated disciplinary measures dating back to 2008.

Students are given an emergency expulsion if the district believes they impose a danger to other students or faculty members, Lake Washington School District spokesperson Kathryn Reith told the Reporter in October. The students can later be allowed back to school if they are no longer determined to be a danger.

All of this information comes as both the KPD and LWSD have denied the Reporter’s repeated public records requests for access to the investigation documents and initial police report. The KPD initially granted the Reporter’s request but later denied it, stating: “RCW 13.50.050(3) All records other than the official juvenile court file are confidential and may be released only as provided in this chapter, RCW 13.40.215 and 4.24.550.”

The Reporter appealed the KPD’s decision, writing: “While it is important to protect the identity of the juvenile suspects involved, as well as the alleged victim, we believe the location and circumstances surrounding the incident, which took place at a public school involving students and coaches, who have been placed on leave, make it vital that the records, however redacted they maybe, be released so that the concerns of parents in the community, who have their children enrolled in the district, might be adequately met … as an institution funded by taxpayer dollars, it is important for citizens who finance these schools, even if they do not have any children enrolled there, be aware of what is taking place at those facilities at their expense. In order for the public to make prudent decisions about what happens in their community, they must have access to the information necessary to act prudently.”

Following a review by the City Public Records Steering Committee, the appeal was denied: “Given the nature of the offenses and the totality of the circumstances, no level of redaction would allow the city to disclose these records while adhering to its duties to protect juvenile victims, juvenile witnesses and juveniles suspected of criminal activity.”

The Reporter also requested the results of the LWSD investigation into the incident. That request was also denied, and LWSD has stated that any disciplinary measures ultimately taken will also not be released.

No district employees have been willing to speak to the Reporter on the record concerning the incident. The principal at the school where one of the suspects is now attending refused to comment on the situation.

The Reporter has received numerous inquiries from residents and parents at Juanita High School concerning the incident.

Reporter TJ Martinell contributed to this report.