An athletic trainer at Archbishop Mitty High School in San Jose has been arrested on suspicion of sexually battering a 16-year-old student while treating her for a sports injury on campus and recording it on his phone, the San José Police Department said Wednesday, Oct. 14. Police identified the trainer as Kelvin Chiu, 31, of Fremont, and said detectives believe there may be other victims.
Editor's note: This story describes the alleged sexual abuse of a minor.
What police say happened
Officers were called at about 7:29 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 8, to a report of a sexual battery at a high school in the 5000 block of Mitty Way, according to the police department's news release. The student, a 16-year-old girl, told officers that the man had been providing care for a sports-related injury when he sexually battered her and recorded it on his cellphone. He was identified as an athletic trainer for the school.
The police release did not name the school. Archbishop Mitty, a private Catholic high school, is the only high school on Mitty Way, and the Diocese of San Jose confirmed to KTVU that Chiu is a member of the school's athletic training staff.
Arrest and search warrant
Detectives with the department's Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force obtained a search warrant covering Chiu, his home and his vehicles. They found and arrested him in Fremont on Friday, Oct. 9, and searched his residence the same day. Police said detectives found child sexual abuse material on his phone.
Chiu was booked into the Santa Clara County Main Jail on suspicion of annoying or molesting a minor, production and possession of child sexual abuse material, and sexual battery. Police did not say whether the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office has filed charges. An arrest is not a finding of guilt.
What the school and diocese say
Police said the school administration was notified and is fully cooperating with the investigation. In a statement to KTVU, the Diocese of San Jose said the student's family notified the school the same evening, and that Chiu was placed on administrative leave immediately and will not be on campus.
"Our first concern is for the student and family, and for all of our students and families," Cynthia Shaw, the diocese's director of communications, said in the statement. She said the school's counseling teams will be available to students who need support.
Police are looking for other possible victims
Because of Chiu's position of trust, detectives believe there may be additional victims. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Camarillo (badge 4576) or Detective Widmer (badge 4581) of the San José Police ICAC/Child Exploitation Detail Task Force at 408-277-4102. Anonymous tips can go through the P3TIPS mobile app, the tip line at 408-947-STOP, or the Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers website, which can pay a cash reward if a tip leads to an arrest.
For more South Bay public safety and schools coverage, see our reports on the San Jose Lancelot Lane child neglect charges and the San Jose Unified school board race.