CMS EMPLOYEE ARRESTED: CMS employee arrested for felony indecent liberties

CHARLOTTE — Quinto Owens, a data manager at Garinger High School, is being held in the Mecklenburg County Jail on a $1 million bond following allegations of inappropriately touching a student.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools has suspended Owens with pay while the investigation proceeds.

Newly released court documents detail allegations stemming from a football game at South Mecklenburg High School, where Garinger High School was playing.

Police reports list South Mecklenburg High School as the location address for the alleged incident. During an interview with police, Owens denied the accusations, stating he had no physical contact with the student.

According to court and police records, a student reported that Owens approached him during the event, stated he was cold, and reached under the student’s shirt to touch his skin. The student walked away and got on a bus before Owens followed him.

Police documents state that Owens then reached under the student’s shirt a second time, began rubbing his chest, and commented that the student was in good physical health.

Officers interviewed additional students as part of their investigation into the report. One student told officers she witnessed the encounter. Another student witness told police he also saw the incident and reported prior similar behavior.

“In the past, Owens had also placed his hands under (his) shirt under the pretense that he/Owens was cold,” the student witness told police.

Following the allegations, administrative actions were taken by the school district, and the principal of Garinger High School sent a letter to parents regarding the incident.

“The safety and well-being of our students and staff remain our top priority,” the principal wrote in the letter.

Residents living in a neighborhood near Garinger High School expressed alarm after learning about the court documents.

“It really hurts me to hear things like that happen to kids,” a neighbor living near the school said.

Another resident in the neighborhood questioned the alleged actions of a school employee. “What these grown people and what they’re doing to these kids now. It’s not even called for,” the neighbor said.

Neighborhood residents continued to voice concern regarding safety within the school system.

“It’s crazy. It makes you think. Why? Why does stuff like that happen?” the neighbor said. She added, “Oh gosh! Just right over there at Garinger. No tell where else it’s going on too.”

Owens remains in custody at the Mecklenburg County Jail after receiving a $1 million bond on Wednesday.

Court conditions mandate that if Owens posts bond, he is required to stay away from and have no contact with the accuser.