Richard Bell, a Ritenour High School choir teacher accused of sexual contact with a student had similar allegations in 2008

Police allege that a Ritenour teacher touched a kid in an inappropriate manner, leading to the teacher’s arrest.

A grand jury in St. Louis County arrested 60-year-old Charlack resident Richard Bell for having sex with a student.

Inappropriate touching was discovered by the St. Ann Police Department following an inquiry, the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office stated. Bell had touched one of his choir students at Ritenour High School on April 22. The pupil was a 15-year-old. According to the police, another student saw the interaction and reported it.

The prosecutor’s office reported that identical accusations were made against him in 2008, according to his personnel file with the university. The prosecuting attorney’s office stated that he afterward signed a statement promising “not to touch pupils and to establish acceptable interactions with students.”

In addition to the current case, a law enforcement official suggested there could be additional recent incidents.

According to a press release from the St. Louis County prosecuting attorney’s office, the charge against bell is a Class E Felony that carries a potential sentence of up to $10,000 in fines, one year in jail, and up to four years in prison. The judge has set Bell’s bond at $50,000.

“I applaud this young person and witness for having the courage to speak up,” said St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell, in the release. “No one should tolerate a teacher inappropriately touching a student. Of all places, our schools should be safe spaces for our youth.”

Since it is a “personnel matter,” Ritenour High School was unable to disclose any other information about Bell, who has been a teacher there since August 2004.

Last known contact information
Address: 2918 McKibbon Rd # A Saint Louis, MO 63114
Phone: (870) 234-9686
Email: risharembell@aol.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/richard.bell.75873