KTTC Rochester, Austin, Mason City News, Weather and SportsStewartville teacher accused of criminal sexual misconduct

Stewartville teacher accused of criminal sexual misconduct

STEWARTVILLE, Minn. (KTTC-DT) -- Charges have been filed against a Stewartville elementary school teacher accused of sexually abusing two of his female students.

63-year-old Francis Allen Skinness of Austin taught third grade at Bonner Elementary.

According to the criminal complaint, one of his students was taken to Mayo Clinic for treatment of sexual abuse in late April.

The nine-year-old girl told investigators the touching started in the fall of 2008 and Skinness touched her breasts and put his hand down her shirt more than 20 times. She also said the teacher would have the students take turns sitting on his lap.

Principal David Nystuen told detectives that on April 20, 2009 four girls from Skinness' class came to his office and told investigators about incidents with Skinness invading their space.

Nystuen said the girls told him about hugs that were too long and too tight.  They also told him about the "hot seat," where Skinness would stand behind them and feel his privates against their backs.

The girls also said they gave Mr. Skinness a note and asked him to stop the touching.

Detectives interviewed the entire third class.

Another nine-year-old girl told police that when she sat on her exercise ball, which is used for a chair, Mr. Skinness would stand behind her and press himself against her. 

Some students in the class said they had not had any uncomfortable contact with Skinness, but were aware of those who had.

Skinness is charged with two counts of criminal sexual conduct in the second degree.

Investigators say Skinness denies the allegations and says he does not remember doing the alleged acts, but if he did he did not intentionally do them.

Skinness also told police Principal Nystuen did talk to him about things that made the girls uncomfortable and admitted receiving a note from one of the girls about her feeling uncomfortable.

Skinness also said that when they shared the "hot seat," he would sit on the stool and the student would sit in the space in front of him. 

KTTC contacted Francis Skinness by phone Friday morning.  He told the NewsCenter he would not comment on the charges and directed us to his attorney.

Click here to read the full criminal complaint.