A track coach at Paola High School was taken into custody yesterday morning, May 24th, by the Paola Police Department and charged with multiple sex crimes. Paola Police say they received information on May 15th alleging that a rape occurred in 2022, as well as other sexual assault allegations prior to that. Forty six year old Chad Kelsey was charged with two counts of rape, aggravated indecent liberties with a child and unlawful sexual relations, and two counts of furnishing alcohol to a minor. At the time of the incidents, the victim was a juvenile. During an investigation, a second juvenile victim was identified.
In an email to USD 368 parents, Superintendent Mat Meek says the District was unaware of any allegations of misconduct as part of a school related activity or on district property and that Kelsey’s position has been terminated. Kelsey worked for the district for 13 years. He never served as a full-time teacher, but did work one day as a substitute teacher this year. In the Media Release, Paola Police say that they don’t have any information of additional victims at this time; however, grooming type behavior was an element in the case and they encourage any other victims or anyone with any information to come forward and speak with detectives. The investigation is ongoing.
