Former Kent substitute teacher pleads not guilty to child molestation charge

A former Kent School District substitute teacher pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to a first-degree child molestation charge for reportedly having sexual contact with a kindergarten student.

John Deveiteo, 72, of Kent, entered the plea in King County Superior Court in Seattle, according to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. Deveiteo spent about seven hours in the county jail on June 21, according to jail records. He was released when he posted bond on $150,000 bail. He is scheduled to return to court on July 30 when attorneys are expected to request more time to prepare the case before a trial date is set.

Deveiteo worked as a substitute teacher at multiple schools in the district since February 2018, according to charging documents filed June 19 by the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. Court papers didn’t name the schools. Kent School District officials declined to release the names of the schools to the Kent Reporter for privacy reasons.

The alleged incident occurred on June 4 in a Emerald Park Elementary School classroom when the rest of the students were released for recess, according to court documents. A 6-year-old girl asked Deveiteo, known as Mr. D, if he needed help with anything. Deveiteo told the girl she could stay and help him.

Deveiteo reportedly put a cartoon on his laptop and had the girl sit on his lap to watch it. Deveiteo then allegedly had his arms around her and put his hand inside the front of her pants, according to court documents.

The father of the girl called called 911 on June 4 to report a sexual assault earlier in the day at the school. The girl told her parents what happened after they had asked about her day at school, according to charging papers.

Kent Police contacted Deveiteo. He declined to speak with the investigating detective on the advice of his attorney, according to charging papers.