UPDATE: Police investigate report of student sexual misconduct at school for deaf

JACKSON, Tenn. — Police are investigating a report of sexual misconduct between students at the West Tennessee School for the Deaf in Jackson.

Lt. Derick Tisdale with the Jackson Police Department confirmed the department is investigating an incident between students.

In a series of text messages sent to parents Friday afternoon, administrators say a student incident is being investigated by outside agencies.

The text messages read in part, “We have had a student incident that is being assessed by outside agencies at this time. I can assure you that the safety of your child is our priority.”

Sara Gast with the Tennessee Department of Education released this statement Friday evening:

“As soon as leaders at the school were informed of the alleged incident, they took action to inform the investigating authorities and have updated the school community. The department always takes seriously any assertions of sexual misconduct or abuse and works closely with schools and officials to ensure that we are doing everything possible to keep our students safe.”

Police have not commented on whether anyone is in custody, about the age of any of the students involved or how the alleged incident was uncovered.