Former Seattle Teacher Accused of Sexual Abusing Students

Updated on: 2/26/2019

A 32-year-old man who was formerly a teacher at a private school in Seattle has been charged with four counts of first-degree child molestation in regards to accusations of sexually abusing two of his young students during school hours.

Court records show that Jordan Murray, who served as a teacher at the Torah Day School in Columbia City, was arrested May 3 on accusations he sexually abused students at the school and spent two days in the King County Jail before posting a $100,000 bond.

Murray has been formally charged and is accused of touching two girls under their clothes on numerous occasions since the middle of the current school year. Court documents also show that other students were unaware of the behavior because Murray’s desk blocked the students’ view of what was allegedly taking place.

Police say that the two female students and at least four others – all approximately 6 or 7 years old – routinely complained of anxiety, headaches and stomach aches and were sent home early from school as a result of the complaints. However, parents found it peculiar that when the students arrived at home, they appeared to be fine and no longer acted as if they were ill.

Parents Alerted of Alleged Sexual Abuse

The two girls were playing at a home together when one of the girls notified an older sibling about the alleged abuse. Charging documents say the girls told authorities that “Rabbi Murray puts his hands in their pants.” The girls were reportedly scared and didn’t know why the abuse was taking place, and one of the girls’ mother alerted police after being told by the sibling.

“The defendant is a clear danger to children given the circumstances of this crime where he abused his position of trust as a first and second grade teacher, secretly molesting these girls in class in front of others,” contends charging documents written by Senior Deputy Prosecutor Carol Spoor.

The Seattle Police Department was tipped off by Child Protective Services on April 23 and began investigating the allegations, which led to Murray’s arrest. Murray faces an arraignment on May 20^th, and we will try to provide updated details at that time.