In a quiet Modesto neighborhood Tuesday, parents and teachers were shaken when local police arrested 23‑year‑old Lawrence Harris. Harris, a paraprofessional at La Loma Junior High School, now faces serious charges related to alleged molestation and harmful communication with minors. Three students who attend the school have come forward, and authorities say all victims are under 18 years old.
Modesto Police Department officers say they took Harris into custody right on campus, shortly after school hours. It was the staff at La Loma who first raised the alarm, noticing troubling behavior that led them to contact law enforcement. When officers arrived, they quickly confirmed Harris’s identity and arrested him without incident.
According to the police, Harris is charged with sending harmful material with the intent to seduce a minor — a felony — and with annoying or molesting a child under 18, which includes both felony and misdemeanor counts. These charges point to what police describe as inappropriate communication and contact with students.
Once arrested, Harris was booked into the Stanislaus County Jail. He no longer has access to any Modesto City Schools campuses, and district officials say they are cooperating fully with investigators. Parents in the community were notified soon after the arrest, with school leaders stressing their commitment to student safety.
For many families, the news was both shocking and heartbreaking. Teachers at La Loma, who work day in and day out to support children’s growth, now find themselves reassuring worried parents and students. One staff member, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the school is focusing on supporting affected students and keeping younger children’s routines as normal as possible.
Modesto City Schools also confirmed that Harris had roles beyond La Loma, working as a football and basketball coach at Downey High School. That has only added to concern among families across the district, prompting extra check‑ins and offers of counseling for students.
Police have asked anyone with more information to contact Detective Salinas at the Modesto Police Department. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities say they will continue to look into how long this behavior may have been occurring and whether there are additional victims.
