PHOENIX (CBS5) -
CBS 5 is digging deeper on the Glendale PE teacher arrested for allegedly going online and trying to lure a minor into sex. The warning signs were there, so why did it go this far?
That teacher was accused of molesting a student in 2010, but Phoenix police dropped the case. Former county attorney Rick Romley said it should have been brought to the office's attention.
According to court documents, 55-year-old John Todorich was accused of fondling a student while he was a PE teacher at a Phoenix elementary school. Three adult witnesses came forward. Todorich also allegedly called the boy "his right-hand girlfriend."
"The victim was denying that there was any inappropriate conduct or contact that was made, that was done during a forensic interview with our Child Help Unit."
Phoenix police said because of that, they didn't push the case to the county attorney's office in 2010.
"That is a bit unusual. Usually they try to get the county attorney involved because there are a variety of techniques that could be utilized to help with that investigation," Romley said.
Romley doesn't know the details of the case, but said it raises some questions.
"Here you have a situation where you have three adults that say they witness improper criminal conduct and you have the victim who says that didn't occur. That should not be the end of the case, let's be matter of fact," said Romley.
He said it's not unusual for a victim to deny what happened and that a case can go forward without the victim acknowledging the crime.
"Prosecutors at time have to go against victims that say nothing had ever happened," he said.
Romley points to domestic violence situations where sometimes a victim will deny the violence, but other witnesses and photographic evidence point to the contrary.
Phoenix police said the alleged victim was 13 years old and in good mental health and the alleged victim's parents were involved with the investigation. In light on Todorich's recent arrest, police have reached out to that victim.
Todorich pleaded not guilty to his charges Thursday.
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John Todorich
