Seattle Public Schools employee charged with molestation of elementary student

SEATTLE - An employee with the Seattle Public Schools has been arrested on charges involving child molestation of an elementary student. 

According to court documents, 31-year-old Abdi Hassan was working as an English as a Second Language instructor at Rainier View Elementary, and the victim was his student at the time.

At the time of the alleged abuse, the child was about six or seven years old in the 2015-16 school year. She is now 13. 

Court documents say the child stayed silent until recently, when she was asked to write an essay about a time of great difficulty in her life. 

The student detailed her experience for the first time in words, describing how Hassan sexually assaulted her on multiple occasions, according to court documents. 

Hassan was placed on leave in November of 2021, during the investigation, according to court documents. SPS says he has not been allowed on any school campus during the investigation. 

He has been charged with two counts of child molestation. Hassan has pleaded not guilty to both counts. 

Prosecutors have requested that bail be set at $50,000. Although Hassan has no known criminal record, prosecutors want bail set that high "given the egregious abuse of one of the most trusted potions and the nature of the abuse in this matter," according to court documents. 

Seattle Public Schools issued the following statement in response: 

"The safety and well-being of students is extremely important to Seattle Public Schools. As part of student safety, we keep families informed about safety concerns.

Mr. Hassan has not been working in schools or allowed on any SPS campus during the investigation into the allegations. As soon as the district learned of the police investigation, our Human Resources Department took immediate action to suspend Mr. Hassan from work and prohibit any contact with students.  

Mr. Hassan is not currently working in any SPS school and is not allowed on school property and has not been since November 2, 2021. SPS is cooperating with authorities in this investigation. "

With charges now filed, the district said it is moving to terminate Hassan's employment. 

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