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High school counselor arrested and charged with inappropriate relationship with student – ​​KIRO 7 News Seattle

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REDMOND, Wash. — A high school counselor was arrested after fleeing the state and now faces charges of sexual abuse of a minor.

The suspect is 35-year-old Derik Detweiler, a counselor at Redmond High School, which is part of the Lake Washington School District. He was placed on leave last week. Redmond police say he fled the state and was arrested in Wyoming on Thursday.

“We are grateful to the student for having the courage to come forward, as this relationship likely would have continued,” said Police Chief Darrell Lowe. “We encourage parents to talk to their children about how if they hear or see anything disturbing, they should tell a trusted adult immediately. We also remind parents to monitor their children’s social media activity and report anything suspicious.”

Detweiler is accused of communicating with minors for immoral purposes, second-degree sexual abuse of a minor and distribution of alcohol to minors.

Charging documents detail Detweiler’s alleged relationship with the student, which began as her counselor before becoming romantic in mid-March. The documents detail messages Detweiler allegedly sent that said, “I could kiss you forever” and “I want to hold you until our bodies become one.”

The 17-year-old student told officers that Detweiler had given her a key to his apartment, which she had visited several times.

At one point, she claims Detweiler told her that if she ever left him, he would kill himself with guns. She says he then served her “several glasses of red wine” and became “very pushy.”

She reported the relationship to the school district on May 22. Detweiler was placed on leave the same day.

“The Lake Washington School District takes student protection very seriously,” said Dr. Jon Holmen, superintendent. “Out of respect for student confidentiality and the integrity of the investigative process, we will not provide further comment at this time. The health, safety and well-being of students remains the school district’s primary concern throughout this process. The school district will continue to take appropriate actions to achieve this goal.”

Detweiler will be extradited to Washington. His first court date is scheduled for June 13.

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