Arrests Made Amid Investigation Into Waukesha Lawrence School: Police

WAUKESHA, WI — Four staff members from The Lawrence School were taken into police custody Wednesday amid an investigation into alleged physical child abuse, Waukesha police said.

Officers conducted a search warrant at the privately owned 3311 Saylesville Road child care facility Wednesday, police said in a news release. The student body at the school — who were all safe as authorites reunited them with their family during the warrant search — is largely made up of toddlers and infants, according to police. Police said they worked with the family and child whose report sparked the investigation.

Just one of the four people taken into custody was taken to jail, police said. The other three were booked and released with possible charges of failure to protect, police said. The one staff member who was brought to the Waukesha County Jail may face a charge of physical abuse of a child, police said. All charges are expected to be referred to the District Attorney's Office, which will make a decision on the actual charges.

While The Lawrence School was privately owned and had its own staff, it worked with the School District of Waukesha as a 4K elementary school site. Police notified the district about the warrant around 9 a.m. Wednesday, school officials said in a news release. Soon after, the district decided to end its relationship with The Lawrence School.

The district said it was working to relocate the 4-year-olds who attended The Lawrence School into other available schools.

"We are shocked and saddened by the reports from the Waukesha Police Department regarding the investigation of physical abuse at the Lawrence School," the district said. "We are committed to working with our families to find a new four year old kindergarten placement for their children as soon as practicable."