70 Year Old Suspected in Lewd and Lascivious Act at Roseville School

Roseville, Calif- Yesterday afternoon (Tuesday, February 17), officials from Cooley Middle School notified Roseville Police that an adult volunteer at their school was seen inappropriately touching a student.

The alleged touching happened at about 3:15 p.m. yesterday, when the student walked past the suspect’s car, which was parked adjacent to school property.  When school administrators were notified, they immediately brought the victim into the office, and had staff keep an eye on the suspect until officers arrived. 

Officers investigated and then arrested 70-year-old Leslie John Silva, of Roseville, on suspicion of committing a lewd and lascivious act on a child under the age of 14.

School officials noted that Silva was a grandparent volunteer who worked as a lunch time volunteer, and did not work one-to-one with students.

He is currently being held in the Placer County Jail on $200,000 bail.  He was acquainted with the victim through his volunteering at the school, so it doesn’t appear that the victim was randomly targeted.  His booking photo will not be released at this time, due to the ongoing investigation.

We also recommend that parents not be overly specific when talking to their children about suspected inappropriate conduct.  We recommend asking children open-ended, general questions, such as if anyone has been touching them or talking to them in ways that make them feel uncomfortable.  Let children know that they’re not in trouble, and that they can come to you anytime someone makes them feel uncomfortable.

If you hear anything that concerns you, call Roseville Police immediately, so that experts with special training in the interviewing of child victims can talk to your child.