THORNTON, Colo. - Thornton police are investigating an alleged sexual assault involving a 14-year-old female student at The International School at Thornton Middle School, located at 9451 Hoffman Way.

"The victim's alleging she was forcibly pulled into the bathroom and then sexually assaulted by her classmate," said Thornton police spokesman Matt Barnes.   The incident was reported between 2:30 and 3 p.m.

Police said the suspect was taken into custody for investigation of first-degree sexual assault.  He was transported to the Adams County Juvenile Detention Center.

First-degree sexual assault is classified as a rape.

The criminal investigation is ongoing, police said.  They are looking for additional witnesses.  The district said the student suspected in the attack will not be in school on Friday.

Barnes said the school's resource officer was not at the school at the time of the alleged incident.  He was in court, police said.

Principal Jami Miller sent a letter to parents Thursday that said in part:

To maintain the integrity of the investigation, we are limited in the information we can provide concerning this situation.

 

We encourage parents to take this opportunity and talk to their children about the importance of reporting to school officials anything they see that they feel could be a threat to them, other students or the school.