St. Louis Park teaching assistant charged with sexual assault of 8th grader

ST. LOUIS PARK, Minn. (KMSP) - A St. Louis Park middle school teaching assistant is being charged with criminal sexual conduct involving an eighth grade student, according to the Hennepin County attorney's office.

On Monday, a 14-year-old student was speaking to Jarrell Smith, 31, of Minneapolis in a secluded part of the school's gymnasium when he put his hand down her pants and sexually assaulted her, according to the criminal complaint.

The next day, Smith was tracked down to the 1500 block of Russell Avenue in North Minneapolis and arrested.

The district stated the school is working closely with the middle school student's family.

“The well-being of the student in this situation is our primary concern and we are working closely with the family to meet their needs.The safety of all St. Louis Park Public Schools students is of the utmost importance to the district, and we continue to be vigilant in protecting our students, staff, and those visiting our buildings.”