Molestation investigation shuts California school

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Authorities on Monday shut down a private preschool and elementary school in a Sacramento suburb after an investigation revealed multiple allegations of child molestation.

The Creative Frontiers School was closed because of allegations from several current or former students about molestation dating back at least 15 years, Citrus Heights Police spokesman Jon Kempf said. The school's care license also was suspended.

"The facts and circumstances brought us to the point today where we were able to execute a search warrant," Kempf said.

He said students were released to their parents after the California Department of Social Services shut the school, which serves about 180 students up to sixth grade. Police said a daycare program for preschoolers had been in session when the school was shut down.

The school's owner and principal, Robert B. Adams, is the focus of the investigation but has not been arrested, Kempf said.

"Due to the sensitive nature of the investigation, we are moving slowly and cautiously, one step at a time. We'll evaluate the results of the search and take the investigation forward from that," he said.

He would not release any other details of the investigation, including the number of people making the allegations or the nature of the alleged offenses.

Two telephone messages left at the school during business hours were not returned, and additional attempts to contact Adams were unsuccessful.

According to the school's website, Adams was honored in 2008 as Administrator of the Year by the Professional Association for Childhood Education, a nonprofit organization for early childhood educators and professionals.

Creative Frontiers School is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

Citrus Heights is a middle-class suburb about 20 miles northeast of Sacramento.