Schools

Updated: Asst. Supt. Arrested After Allegedly Pushing Unruly Parent

Police detained Steve Seaford, assistant superintendent of instructional services, following a private citizen's arrest. Seaford tried to get the disruptive parent to leave the district offices, after which the parent alleged assault.

Assistant Superintendent Steve Seaford was arrested after allegedly pushing toward the door an agitated parent spewing profanity, whom Seaford had asked repeatedly to leave, authorities said Wednesday.

Superintendent Joel Shapiro said Seaford was disenrolling two students who had not lived in the district for months. He was finishing up paperwork Friday morning for the students' final day, which they had been notified about earlier, he said. The parent argued abusively and profanely that the children should stay. 

"Based on my investigation, I saw no act of violence [from Seaford], Shapiro said, noting the parent was disruptive and Seaford was "gently'' trying to get him to leave the offices at 1020 El Centro St.

Find out what's happening in South Pasadenawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

After the parent left, he called police to initiate a private person's arrest alleging assault, said Det. Richard Lee. The weekly police crime bulletin states that the 52-year-old suspect (Seaford) placed his hand on the parent's back and pushed him toward the door. 

Regarding a private person's arrest, Lee explained, the accusing party is responsible for following the case through the court system, and can be held liable if the accusations turn out to be false. 

Find out what's happening in South Pasadenawith free, real-time updates from Patch.


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