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A former classroom volunteer known as “Grandpa Jerry” to children has been sentenced to prison for sexually abusing two kindergarten girls at a Rogue Valley elementary school. Jerry Duane Lodge, 72, pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree sexual abuse Thursday in Jackson County Circuit Court. He was sentenced to six years and three months in prison without the possibility of early release. Jackson County Sheriff’s Office detectives arrested Lodge on Dec. 9, 2017 after investigating a report that he sexually abused a 5-year-old girl while volunteering at Lower Table Rock Elementary School in White City. Detectives later learned of a second victim in the case. During an interview with detectives, Lodge confirmed both girls’ claims that he touched their genitals on the inside of the their underwear. He told detectives he found opportunities to touch the girls when others weren’t looking. Lodge said he even did so in the middle of the classroom, using his body to shield the act from the teacher. The girls reported that he told them to keep the abuse a secret, according to the sheriff’s office. According to indictments, the abuse against both girls occurred in early December 2017. Lodge was in the classroom through the Foster Grandparent Program facilitated by Community Volunteer Network, a division of Pacific Retirement Services. The program places senior volunteers in classrooms throughout the Rogue Valley. Participants must pass a criminal background check. Detectives say as soon as the abuse allegations surfaced, officials with the Eagle Point School District and Pacific Retirement Services cooperated fully with the criminal investigation. They prevented Lodge from having any further contact with students. School officials and sheriff’s office detectives held a meeting with parents in the classroom following Lodge’s arrest to answer questions about the incidents. The school district also offered guidelines to help parents speak with children about improper touching and how to make a report. To report suspected sexual or physical abuse of a child in the Jackson County area, call the Oregon Department of Human Services in Medford at 541-858-3197, the sheriff’s office at 541-774-6800, Oregon State Police at 541-776-6114 or a city police department. If a child is being hurt or in immediate danger call 911.