Updated
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – The 36-year-old Chehalis man accused of hugging a 9-year-old year-old female student in an inappropriate manner went before a judge today where a prosecutor asked the charge of fourth-degree assault be modified to include a special allegation it occurred “with sexual motivation.”
James Denning was arrested yesterday and booked into the Lewis County Jail but was released prior to today’s hearing in Chehalis Municipal Court.
Chehalis police yesterday said the arrest followed an investigation of a March 14 report from staff at R.E. Bennett Elementary School on South Market Boulevard in Chehalis. Deputy Chief Randy Kaut said Denning was not a teacher, but was an employee who helped at recess.
The Chehalis School DIstrict announced on its web site Denning was a temporary playground assistant. He was placed on paid administrative leave March 14 pending further investigation and has resigned.
Assault in the fourth degree is a gross misdemeanor.
School authorities offered a small amount of detail on the incident.
“The school district has been asked if it is against school policy for employees to hug students,” the web site message stated. “The answer is: no, it is not generally inappropriate for employees to hug students. But, this case involved an allegation of an extended hug that went past the time when the student communicated a wish to break the contact.”
The court hearing was brief and Denning requested a court-appointed lawyer.
He said his next hearing is April 20.