Guam - A Department of Education teacher was arrested this morning on allegations of inappropriately touching an elementary school student. The arrest means the teacher was immediately removed from the classroom, and it also prompted yet another DOE internal investigation. 

"We were notified this morning from school administration about a teacher who may have handled a student inappropriately and it was being investigated by police," confirmed DOE deputy superintendent Rob Malay says he was informed immediately when the Guam Police showed up to M.U. Lujan Elementary School this morning to pick up 59-year-old Richard Paul Balajadia. The teacher was booked and released at the Hagatna Precinct on charges of assault.

According to the preliminary report there was a slight earthquake felt by those at the Yona campus Thursday, the teacher allegedly shoved one student's head down. The teacher claims the actions were for the child's safety. "If there is any indication that students are being jeopardized in terms of their health or safety and there is an adult who is responsible for that then we are not going to stand for that. We are going to conduct our investigation and take appropriate action," added Malay.

Balajadia was immediately transferred to DOE's Central Office today, and will remain there until the investigation is finished. "An arrest does not necessarily determine guilt," Malay stressed, "but the police have their own method of investigating and we have ours so I just want to make clear that being arrested does not mean that person is guilty, that will take its course."