Annunciation Catholic Investigating Inappropriate Touching Claim

Editor's note: The school announced on Wednesday that authorities have completed an investigation into these allegations and are not pressing charges. Read more here.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — An Annunciation Catholic School staff member was placed on administrative leave this week after the school received a report that he or she had inappropriate physical contact with a student, school officials announced this week.

In a letter to the families of students, Rev. William Deziel and school Principal Kari Zobel said the school received the report on the evening of March 2.

The following morning, the school shared the report with the Minneapolis Police Department, which began an investigation into the allegations.

The school is conducting its own investigation into the allegations alongside Judge Tim O’Malley, officials said

"The safety and well-being of our students is paramount, and we ask that everyone in the Annunciation community respect the confidentiality of those involved in this matter, particularly the student, and respect the investigation process," Zobel said in the letter.

Annunciation Catholic said it will share updates when they become available, although it is unclear how long the investigation will take to complete. The internal investigation is being completed in accordance with the archdiocese's safe environment requirements and in collaboration with the school's human resources consultant, legal counsel and other stakeholders, Zobel said.

Anyone with information related to the allegations, or about any other misconduct or abuse, is asked to contact the Minneapolis Police Department, Annunciation leadership or the Archdiocese’s Office of Ministerial Standards and Safe Environment.