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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Readers Choice 2006 Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Our Valley Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend October 11, 2006 Sex-abuse charges prompt clinic review Procedures for health exams studied; latest reports from children evaluated By ANITA BURKE Mail Tribune In the wake of reported sexual abuse at a Kids Health Connection school-based health clinic, officials from the clinic, schools and police are working to prevent such abuse even as they unravel the circumstances and search for additional victims. "We will review our policy designed to prevent this as we ask how this happened and how we can prevent it in the future," said Jackson Elementary School Principal Tom Ettel. Medford police arrested Luis Armando Mesta, 29, of the 300 block of Clark Street, Monday on four counts of first-degree sexual abuse. Investigators allege that Mesta molested four girls, all 9 or 10 years old, while he was employed as a health assistant at Kids Health Connection's Jackson clinic. Mesta allegedly waited until a clinic nurse was out of the room before touching his victims, police said. Ettel said the girls reported being fondled Oct. 2, the same day the touching allegedly happened, and Mesta was immediately put on administrative leave. One case allegedly happened last spring. Advertisement Kids Health Connection is a community collaboration involving Asante Health System, Providence Medford Medical Center, La Clinica del Valle and the Medford and Phoenix-Talent school districts. La Clinica is the operating partner responsible for hiring most of Kids Health Connection employees, director Traci Fossen said. She said La Clinica's hiring policy calls for a work history review, interviews, reference checks and a pre-employment criminal background check using an online service. Any crimes uncovered by the check are evaluated under guidelines set forth in Oregon Administrative Rules for the Department of Human Services for contact with patients and children, she said. She declined to comment on any specifics of Mesta's case. Court records show that Mesta was convicted of forgery in May 2001 and his conviction was treated as a misdemeanor because he testified against ringleaders in a bank-fraud ring that cashed stolen checks worth up to $150,000 at local banks from late 1999 to early 2001. "We are working with the school district and police to try to determine how this happened," Fossen said. "Kids' safety is of the utmost importance to us. "We will evaluate all our policies and procedures to make sure we can continue to provide health care for kids." Kids Health Connection sent home letters at all the schools where it has clinics — Jackson, Washington, Oak Grove and Phoenix elementary schools — to reassure parents. "We don't want them to stop sending kids to the clinics," Ettel said. He said teachers were reviewing the district's program about inappropriate touching with students and more children had come forward to report unusual behavior, from funny looks and overly friendly advances to touching that likely was related to medical procedures. All reports will be evaluated, he said. Medford police Lt. Tim George said investigators were working with school officials and Department of Human Services employees to identify other possible victims and make sure they get the help they need. Ettel said the school district plans to tighten security measures for campus visitors, parents picking up students and other outsiders at schools. Reach reporter Anita Burke at 776-4485, or e-mail [email protected] . Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Windermere Van Vleet Men's Clothing Southern Oregon Loans --> GMAT Prep Fundraisers Send Flowers Texas Electric Choice Entertainment Guide --> Casinos Canada Trunks, Footlocker Online Casino Reviews Online poker at AbsolutePoker.com