Peoria teacher arrested for allegedly molesting 3 elementary students

PHOENIX — A Peoria teacher was arrested Tuesday for allegedly molesting three female fifth grade students.

Police said the principal of Sun Valley Elementary School notified them on May 7 that Ricky Ordway, 43, had allegedly inappropriately touched a student.

Police began an investigation and discovered that the fifth grade teacher had allegedly molested two more victims at the school near Northern Avenue and Loop 101.

Ordway faces five counts of molestation of a child and one count of sexual abuse.

According to a Peoria Unified School District spokeswoman, Ordway had worked for the district since August 2016 and was placed on administrative leave on May 8.

“We want you to know that the safety and well-being of our students always has, and always will, remain our number one priority,” the school district said in a letter to parents Tuesday.

“Our immediate focus is to ensure that we maintain quality instruction and student support through the end of the year.”

Anyone with additional information was asked to contact the Peoria Police Department at 623-773-8976 or Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS.

Array

Follow @KTAR923