Updated at 5 p.m. Thursday with reaction from the victm's parents and the HEB ISD.
An elementary school teacher is facing an indecency with a child sexual contact charge, according to officials.
Grapevine police say Jeffrey Brooks, 55, turned himself on Jan. 28 at the Tarrant County jail after a warrant was issued for his arrest.
Brooks was then released after posting a $25,000 bond, according to authorities.
Police say the sexual assault claim against Brooks does not involve a current elementary school student. The case stems from an alleged incident that occurred in 2005, according to an arrest warrant affidavit.
The victim came forward in November 2019. She stated that Brooks sexually assaulted her in 2005 at Faith Christian School in Tarrant County, according to documents.
She says the assault occurred during a private piano lesson with Brooks. She was 8 years old at the time.
"It's really hard," her mother told WFAA. "It's really really hard and I think this is the kind of thing you don't ever get completely over."
WFAA does not identify victims of sexual assault, so we are not revealing the parents' names. They were, however, comfortable showing their faces on camera and sharing their story in case other families are in the same position.
"Her innocence was stolen, and as a dad, I'll never get over that," her father said.
According to the affidavit, Brooks allegedly asked the victim if she knew what a penis and vagina were. He then fondled over her clothes.
Brooks then told the victim how sex works. The victim told detectives she felt "freaked out and dirty" after the conversation, the affidavit says.
The next day, the victim walked the opposite direction of Brooks when she was dropped off at the school. When her parents asked why she told them, "she had bad thoughts when it comes to Jeff" and pointed to her privates, documents state.
"Obviously a question one might ask is why is it coming out now," her father said.
Her parents say their daughter didn't tell them what happened at the time, but did not want to be near Brooks after that. They soon removed her from the school and expressed their concerns to administrators. But it wasn't until last year, after years of therapy, the parents say, the now-young woman finally verbalized what had happened.
"I mentioned to her I had heard he was still teaching and that’s when she was like, 'I'm going forward,'" her mother said.
Brooks is currently employed as a music teacher at South Euless Elementary School, Grapevine Police said. That's in the HEB ISD.
"I think there's always a concern there could be more victims, especially when a case is older like this," said Grapevine Police spokeswoman Amanda McNew.
HEB ISD spokeswoman Deanne Hullender said Brooks has been with the district 14 years. He is currently on leave.
"HEB ISD’s standard protocols were followed before making an employment offer to Mr. Brooks 14 years ago. An extensive criminal history check was conducted, the applicant’s State Board of Educator Certification (SBEC) status was reviewed to ensure there were no sanctions or inscriptions on his certification, and a comprehensive reference check was conducted, as we do with all candidates being considered for employment," she wrote.
Grapevine Faith Christian School released the following written statement in response to the accusations:
Jeffrey Brooks served as a music teacher at Grapevine Faith from 2001-2005. The news of an alleged incident that occurred on our campus between Mr. Brooks and a young student in 2005 grieves us. Our hearts hurt for the student involved and the student’s family. We are prepared to fully cooperate with law enforcement as the legal process continues and urge anyone who has information related to this situation to immediately contact the Grapevine Police Department.
As for the young woman, who now works with sexual assault victims herself, her mother says she's dealing with a lot.
"Heartbroken. Suffering. You know, traumatized," she said. "But she's strong and her heart is to rise above and help."
"And heal," her father added.
Brooks did not respond to our requests for comment.
Officials advise parents who believe their child could be a victim to contact Grapevine police or their local law enforcement immediately.
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