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NorCal School Principal Arrested On Child Molestation Charges

CITRUS HEIGHTS (CBS SF) – The principal of a Sacramento-area elementary school has been arrested on child molestation charges after a six-week investigation.

Citrus Heights police arrested Robert B. Adams at 7:10 Wednesday morning at his Folsom home in the 300 block of Water View Way. He was to be booked into Sacramento County Jail on six felony counts of lewd or lascivious acts on a child under the age of 14 and one misdemeanor count of annoying or molesting children.

Police Chief Christopher Boyd said Adams was arrested Wednesday morning at his Folsom home. He said Adams suffered a medical incident and was taken to a hospital.

In July, Citrus Heights police closed Creative Frontiers School, located at 6446 Sylvan Road, due to the investigation into molestation claims after several victims came forward spanning over 15 years.

The private preschool and elementary school had been open for 35 years.

Shortly after the school was closed, Bob Adams, with his wife and three daughters by his side, denied the allegations against him.

"I am shocked at the allegations that have been made against me and the school, but I welcome a full investigation," said Adams at the time. "I am sad mostly for these children; closing the school in this manner. But I assure you, I'm very confident that nothing inappropriate has happened. I am innocent."

The allegations against Adams were listed in a complaint filed with the Department of Social Services.

The complaint alleged Adams touched young girls under their shirts and down their pants. It went on to say Adams — whom students referred to as "Mr. Bob" — would also "seclude female children under a computer desk and lie down with them on a mat in his office."

Several people who spoke to KOVR-TV defended the principal.

The kids hug Mr. Bob," said one parent. "If I had even thought for a minute that something like that was going on, I wouldn't have my children there."

Two of Adams' three daughters also publicly defended the longtime educator, saying the allegations are coming from disgruntled parents upset over money for tuition and their kids' education.

"They have no evidence, but they came in and tore his school down, tore 35 years of his life down," said daughter Tarah Campbell.

Police also asked the parents to talk to their children to see if they might be victims.

Adams has hired well-known defense attorney Linda Parisi, who complained about what she called the "aggressive action of law enforcement."

(Copyright 2011 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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