Norfolk Public Schools paraprofessional accused of sexually assaulting child

A Norfolk Public Schools paraprofessional is accused of sexually assaulting a child, officials said.Jose Ramirez, 32, was arrested Wednesday for third-degree sexual assault of a child, Norfolk police said in a statement.Authorities said the investigation started in July 2022 after a then 13-year-old alleged that Ramirez touched him inappropriately on five separate occasions. The juvenile also provided investigators with text messages between the two, Norfolk police said.”While the initial investigation was completed and reviewed by the Madison County Attorney’s Office at that time, prosecution was initially declined due to the evidence available at the time and the suspect’s refusal to speak with detectives,” Norfolk police said in a statement.Investigators said the case was reopened in January 2026 after the allegations resurfaced.A Norfolk police detective interviewed Ramirez on Tuesday and based on new information, probable cause was established for an arrest, authorities said.The school district said Ramirez, who is a paraprofessional at NPS Junior High, is on administrative leave. The juvenile involved is not a student in the Norfolk Public School system, officials said.Ramirez is prohibited from entering any district campus or property, Norfolk Public Schools said.The district said he began his employment in August 2025.”In accordance with our safety protocols, a comprehensive background check was conducted and cleared prior to his hiring,” Norfolk Public Schools said in a statement.Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google search.NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |