PARADISE VALLEY, AZ — A Paradise Valley Unified School District (PVUSD) employee has been arrested for alleged luring and attempted sexual contact with a minor, according to the letter addressed to PV schools employees, parents, and guardians.
Mico Cano was arrested on February 2 by Mesa police.
"We can confirm, Mr. Mico Cano was arrested by our agency on February 2 for luring and attempted sexual contact with a minor. At this point, there is no further information because of the ongoing investigation. We will release further information as soon as it is available," Mesa police said in a statement.
Police informed officials at the school district that they had taken Cano into custody for alleged luring and attempted sexual contact with a minor.
Per the district's policies and procedures, Cano has been placed on paid leave according to the first letter released by PVUSD.
A second letter released by the district later in the day by PVUSD superintendent James Lee said Cano worked as a Community Education employee at Copper Canyon Elementary School.
He was a childcare worker in the Mascot before and after school program, according to the letter.
Lee emphasized that no students in the Paradise Valley community were harmed by Cano.
It is not clear how Cano was apprehended by police, as his court records have been sealed for 48 hours, according to a spokesperson from Mesa police.
You can read the full text of Lee's letter to parents, guardians, students and staff members of PVUSD below:
"We wanted to provide you with updated information about a Community Education employee who was arrested by the Mesa Police Department. First and foremost, we want to reassure you that there have been no reports of any involvement of PV students.
On Feb. 6th, PVSchools was notified by the Mesa Police Department that an employee, Mico Cano, was taken into custody on alleged luring and attempted sexual contact with a minor. He has been employed with the district since September 2017. During the 2017-18 school year, he worked at Copper Canyon Elementary School as a childcare worker in the Mascot before and after-school program.
This year, his primary role was to support adults within the PVSchools before and after-school program at multiple Mascot sites. He also served as a substitute in a variety of Community Education programs when needed.
Our first priority is always for the safety and well-being of our students. As this is an ongoing police investigation, any additional questions about the case should be referred to the Mesa Police Department. Should you have specific questions or concerns, please contact the Community Education Department at 602-449-2205."
