Archbishop O'hara High School Teacher Fired over "Suspicious" Picture

KSHB
November 8, 2013

http://www.kshb.com/dpp/news/local_news/archbishop-ohara-high-school-teacher-fired-over-suspicious-picture

[with video]

An O’Hara High School teacher has been fired after a “suspicious” picture was found on his school computer Monday.

Brother Richard Geimer taught at O'Hara but just three days after a tip to school officials, he was out of a job and cut off from the Diocese of Kansas City- St. Joseph.

41 Action News asked the church's internal investigator, if Monday's report was the first time anyone had complained about inappropriate behavior by brother Geimer and but said they couldn't comment on that.

Church officials said a parent came forward to say her child had seen a "disturbing" photo while using Geimer's computer.

According to a release from the school's principal, John O'Connor said Wednesday that the school does not believe the picture involves an O’Hara student and so far, no charges have been filed.

"We think its really important to be, to take swift, decisive action when it involves the safety of children and we also think its very important to be open and transparent in that action," Jenifer Valenti, Ombudsman for the Diocese of Kansas City- St, Joseph said.

The church moved quickly to suspend Geimer and called the police who seized his computer the next day.

"I think historically in the church there has been a tendency for allegations to be funneled thru the church first and I think we have learned as a church that's not the best way to handle things," Valenti said.

The school removed Geimer from its website, but a Google image search found a photo of Geimer linked to the school's website.