Mental health programs in schools carry risk, as shown by this Channel 13 WZZM News report.

Kentwood is a wealthy suburb of Grand Rapids, MI.

https://www.wzzm13.com/article/news/crime/kentwood-public-schools-social-worker-accused-of-inappropriate-messages-with-minors/69-50588ecb-3980-4d0e-8999-af1aff5823d8

Arrest in Kentucky: Kentwood social worker faces extradition

Law enforcement arrested the 26-year-old in Lexington, Kentucky, where he's awaiting extradition back to West Michigan to face charges

 

KENTWOOD, Mich. — A social worker who works with middle schoolers in Kentwood is accused of inappropriate communications with middle schoolers. 

The Kent County Sheriff's Office said Friday morning that 26-year-old Dequindre Malik Wiggins, of Grand Rapids, is charged with accosting a minor for immoral purposes and using a computer to commit a crime. 

The sheriff's office said Wiggins is a licensed master social worker who worked at Valleywood Middle School in Kentwood. 

On May 9, a parent told a Kent County Sheriff's Office road patrol deputy that Wiggins inappropriately contacted her child. 

Detectives and the school resource officer assigned to Kentwood Public Schools investigated that claim and found that Wiggins allegedly contacted other juveniles through online platforms. 

The Kent County Prosecutor's Office authorized a nationwide, extraditable arrest warrant on May 21. 

Police in Lexington, Kentucky, tracked him down and arrested him. He's in custody in Kentucky and is now awaiting extradition back to Michigan to face charges. 

"The Kent County Sheriff’s Office continues to prioritize the safety of children and holds accountable those who violate positions of trust. We urge parents to stay involved in their children's online and gaming activity and to report any suspicious interactions," Sgt. Scott Dietrich, Public Information Officer, said in a news release. 

Kentwood Public Schools Superintendent Kevin Polston sent a letter to families Friday morning about the situation. He said Wiggins is on administrative leave pending the investigation. 

"While the district continues to work closely with the Kent County Sheriff's Office, per policy, we will not share further detail regarding the incident to protect the privacy of the individuals involved and to preserve the integrity of the investigation," Polston said in the letter. 

If you have any more details that can help authorities with this case, you're encouraged to call 616-632-6100 or Silent Observer at 616-774-2345.