(January 20) Two school officials in the Barstow area were arrested this month in separate incidents relating to improper and unlawful sexual relations with minors.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department’s Crimes Against Children Unit arrested and booked Kristen Kay Blanton, a secretary at Barstow Christian School, on January 12 for allegedly engaging in sexual acts with a teenage student who attended Barstow Christian.
The sheriff’s department began investigating the matter on January 11, and by the following day had enough information to arrest Blanton, 37, on belief that she had sexual relations with a male student, who is now 14. She has been placed on unpaid leave by Barstow Christian School.
Barstow Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics Academy Principal Mark Lesley Hall was arrested by Barstow Police on January 16 on suspicion of engaging in a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl identified only as a Barstow Unified School district student.
The police department began looking into an allegation that Hassell was involved with the student on January 13, interviewing the student and gathering further information, which led to the issuance of an arrest warrant on Friday, Janaury 16.
Both Blanton and Hassell were able to immediately post bail. Neither has been charged by the district attorney’s office.