Jun 23, 2022

Teacher at Kan. church school admits sex with teen student

Posted Jun 23, 2022 12:00 AM
McFarren-photo Sedgwick County
McFarren-photo Sedgwick County

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A former teacher at a private Christian school in Wichita has pleaded guilty to one count of having sexual relations with a student under 16 and faces prison time when he's sentenced later this summer.

Police arrested Matthew McFarren, who had been a high school teacher and assistant soccer coach at Trinity Academy in Wichita, early last year. Police began investigating after receiving a tip that McFarren, now 43, was in a relationship with a 16-year-old student.

McFarren was fired from the K-12 school soon after he was arrested in March 2021. Television station KSN reports that McFarren is set to be sentenced on Aug. 5.

---------

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a Kansas teacher for possible sexual relations with a student have made an arrest.

Earlier this month, police in Wichita were notified of the sexual relationship between 41-year-old Matthew McFarren, a teacher and coach at Trinity Academy, 12345 E. 21st Street, in Wichita and a 16-year-old student, according to officer Charley Davidson.

On Saturday, police arrested McFarren on a requested charges of Unlawful Sexual Relations in violation of K.S.A. 21-5512. 

Dr. Kneeland Brown, president of Trinity Academy, said in a media release the school is devastated at the news but cooperating with the investigation. "This alleged behavior runs directly counter to the school beliefs and values."

Two weeks ago, the school fired McFarren for a violation of expectations and school policy, according to the release.

 The case has been presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office, according to Davidson.