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Girl sues school over 19-month sex ordeal BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Director
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former teenage student at Desert Garden Montessori School in Ahwatukee last week filed suit against the school, its founders and two related business entities over her sexual abuse for 19 months by a former teacher who also is the founders’ son. Rasmussen Injury Law filed the suit on her behalf in Maricopa County Superior Court against Desert Garden founders Shetal and
James Walters on May 27 – the same day their son Justin Walters, 29, of Tempe was sentenced to four years in prison and lifetime probation for his guilty plea to three felonies. He also is named in the lawsuit. Those felony counts, along with seven others dismissed as a result of his guilty plea, allege that Justin Walters started grooming the victim in March 2019 when she was 14, seduced her June 1, 2019, and continued to sexually abuse her until Dec. 23, 2020 – nine days before he fled to Turkey after learning she had told her
parents and Phoenix Police. He returned to the U.S. in May 2021 and was arrested. Noting that Justin Walters was hired as a teacher in 2017 even though “he did not hold any education degrees and did not possess any educator licenses or certifications from the Arizona Department of Education,” the suit states he “serially sexually abused, exploited, and assaulted” the victim. While the sexual abuse started June 1, 2019,
Phoenix has Splish splash! issued Phase 1 Water Alert
see GARDEN page 18
BY PAUL MARYNIAK AND SCOTT SHUMAKER AFN NEWS STAFF
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hwatukee and the rest of Phoenix arenow under a Phase 1 Water Alert, setting the stage for an intensive citizen education campaign by the city to broaden awareness of the Valley’s shrinking water supply and step up every-day voluntary conservation practices. In issuing the alert last week, the city joined Mesa and Scottsdale, which earlier triggered similar water alerts and involve the same kind of public education programs Phoenix will launch. The first phase does not mandate any specific measures by city Water Services Depart-
see WATER page 25
Amelia Ochoa took advantage of the opening of Pecos Pool for the 2022 season Saturday to go splashing and frolicking with her dad Israel. The pool is one of 14 of Phoenix’s 29 pools that could open this year because of a serious lifeguard shortage and will be open every day except Fridays starting this Friday, June 3. For a look at other kids and adults who joined the fun on May 28, see page 29. (David Minton/AFN Staff Photographer)
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