Bremerton elementary school volunteer accused of sexually assaulting a young child

BREMERTON -- Police have arrested a 51-year-old volunteer at Crown Hill Elementary School on suspicion of child rape.

A mother who lived in the man's home with her two young daughters expressed shock.

"That's crazy, yeah, it's crazy," said Brandy Welch after learning the suspect, Stephen Jabs, who was arrested Thursday, had been accused of sexually assaulting a young girl in March.

Parents alerted investigators about some photos Jabs claimed to have taken showing young girls in compromising positions.



Welch said her two daughters go to Crown Hill Elementary and Jabs asked her two weeks ago if she and her girls wanted to stay in his house as they were new to the area. Welch said she believed Jabs was nice, but she never left her children alone with Welch or anyone.

The Bremerton School District sent out a statement Friday explaining to parents what happened.

It also read, in part: "All volunteers are cleared through the Washington State Patrol background check before becoming approved in our schools. All volunteers are under the direct supervision of a staff member at all times."

Jabs is being held on $1 million bail.

Anyone who has additional information on the case, or may know a victim of the abuse is encouraged to call 911.