North Las Vegas substitute teacher told sixth graders to kiss, police say

A North Las Vegas substitute teacher facing child abuse charges encouraged two sixth grade students to kiss each other in front of their classmates, police said in a report released Monday.

Several students at Legacy Traditional School, near Valley Drive and Washburn Road, reported that their substitute teacher Rasheda Rose, 29, had made inappropriate comments in class on Oct. 10. These included asking students if they were dating and telling two students to kiss each other in front of the class, according to a North Las Vegas Police Department arrest report.

Rose’s attorney Jack Buchanan said in an emailed statement Monday afternoon that Rose “unequivocally contests” the nature of the allegations.

“My office’s independent investigation into this matter is also just beginning and we are confident when the full understanding and facts of this alleged incident are brought to light, the version of events that’s been previously reported will show how highly distorted in reality they are,” Buchanan said in an email.

Students showed police video and audio recordings of Rose that captured her saying, “What happens in Ms. Rose’s classroom, stays in Ms. Rose’s classroom.”

Rose started working for Scoot Education, a temporary hiring agency, on Oct. 3, according to the report, and police said in a statement announcing Rose’s arrest that she was removed from her teaching duties and placed on leave.

A parent of one of the children allegedly forced to kiss in front of the class told police that her child was being teased and bullied by other students and that she intended to take the child out of the school.

Court records show Rose was charged with two counts of felony child abuse and is due in court on Jan. 8.

Buchanan said Rose was released from custody on Thursday.

Contact David Wilson at dwilson@reviewjournal.com.