A former third grade teacher of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School in Henrico was indicted Sept. 11 on multiple counts of taking indecent liberties with a child and aggravated sexual battery.
Daro Ing has been charged with nine counts of aggravated sexual battery of a victim under thirteen years old and four counts of indecent acts with a child custodian, according to court records.
The school, which serves students pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, released a statement Sept. 11 to Lourdes families from Principal Carey Mae Jacobsen and Pastor Jonathan Goertz addressing the charges.
“We are devastated by this situation,” Jacobsen and Goertz said in the statement. “It is our ongoing commitment and our deepest desire to give our children a safe and secure environment surrounded by those who exemplify Christ in their actions.”
School administrators were made aware of an accusation against Ing on May 2, 2023 and immediately removed him from the classroom, put him on administrative leave, and contacted the authorities, according to a release from the Catholic Diocese of Richmond.
School administrators said they cooperated fully with the Henrico Division of Police and Child Protective Services investigations and communicated with families about his removal.
“Returning school families may recall communication about this legal matter at the time he was removed from the classroom,” Jacobsen and Goertz said.
Ing was hired by Lourdes administration in January 2022 after completing a background screening, fingerprinting, a reference check, and child safety VIRTUS training, according to the Catholic Diocese of Richmond.
Bishop Barry C. Knestout acknowledged the students and families who spoke out and the “quick action” from Lourdes staff.
“Bishop Knestout recognizes the courage it took for the children and families to come forward,” the statement from the Diocese of Richmond reads. “Bishop Knestout thanks the OLOL staff for their quick action in response and the professional way this case has been handled by law enforcement.”
Lourdes administration said that the school social worker Beth Forbes will be available to the students and families impacted and other Lourdes families.
“These charges serve as a reminder that we must remain vigilant in the area of child protection,” Jacobsen and Goertz said. “While the subject matter is personal and difficult, and as the legal process unfolds, our hope is to minimize rumors and ensure the emotional wellbeing of our community.”
Bishop Knestout will also make resources available to Lourdes students and families, according to the Diocese of Richmond. Both the diocese and Lourdes administration said they will not be able to comment or answer questions on the case while the legal process continues to move forward.
The diocese encouraged anyone who has been a victim of abuse by clergy, religious, lay church personnel or volunteers of the diocese to call law enforcement, Child Protective Services at 1-800-552-7096, the 24-hour confidential Victim’s Assistance reporting number at 1-877-887-6603, or email vac@richmonddiocese.org.
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Liana Hardy is the Citizen’s Report for America Corps member and education reporter. Her position is dependent upon reader support; make a tax-deductible contribution to the Citizen through RFA here.
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