US Teacher Charged With Multiple Counts Of Sexual Abuse Against Minors
Taji Hillson was arrested on July 2 on one count of sexual assault against a minor under the age of 14, one offence of sexual assault, and three charges of lewdness with a minor under the age of 14, according to public records from the Washoe County Sheriff's Office (WCSO).
Hillson, a 62-year-old former substitute physical education teacher at Roy Gomm Elementary School in the Washoe County School District in Reno, Nevada, was employed there from September 2022 through June 2025.
She admitted to drugging the victim and touching at least a dozen youngsters inappropriately over the years.
The Reno Police Department released an arrest report against Ms Hillson on Friday and set her bail at $5 million, KOLO News 8 reported.
On April 30, an adult female relative reported Hillson to authorities, alleging the former PE teacher had drugged her using Benadryl and sexually abused her for decades. The sexual abuse allegedly started when the victim was a youngster and continued into adulthood.
"Throughout her childhood and adulthood, she would feel sexual pleasure while sleeping and often wake up with... (Hillson) hovering over her," the sexual assault report said.
The relative provided police several text exchanges in which Ms Hillson acknowledged "drugging her and touching her inappropriately."
In the two months that followed, she submitted four more complaints, each including more text disclosures from the defendant about Ms Hillson "inappropriately touching other children."
Hillson eventually admitted to drugging and harassing her cousin, including incidents of penetration around the age of 8, in a police interview on June 25, according to PEOPLE.
She also told police that she continued doing the same when a relative came home from college in 2014.
She also admitted that she had sexually touched a neighbour's two-year-old child in a public pool in the past few years, as well as at least a dozen other children, most of whom were family.
According to the report, the defendant claimed she carried out "all of the actions because she has never felt 'seen' and desired to be close with another person."
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NDTV
2 days ago
- NDTV
US Teacher Charged With Multiple Counts Of Sexual Abuse Against Minors
A former US teacher has been charged with multiple counts of sexual abuse after a female relative came forward to report her to the police. Taji Hillson was arrested on July 2 on one count of sexual assault against a minor under the age of 14, one offence of sexual assault, and three charges of lewdness with a minor under the age of 14, according to public records from the Washoe County Sheriff's Office (WCSO). Hillson, a 62-year-old former substitute physical education teacher at Roy Gomm Elementary School in the Washoe County School District in Reno, Nevada, was employed there from September 2022 through June 2025. She admitted to drugging the victim and touching at least a dozen youngsters inappropriately over the years. The Reno Police Department released an arrest report against Ms Hillson on Friday and set her bail at $5 million, KOLO News 8 reported. On April 30, an adult female relative reported Hillson to authorities, alleging the former PE teacher had drugged her using Benadryl and sexually abused her for decades. The sexual abuse allegedly started when the victim was a youngster and continued into adulthood. "Throughout her childhood and adulthood, she would feel sexual pleasure while sleeping and often wake up with... (Hillson) hovering over her," the sexual assault report said. The relative provided police several text exchanges in which Ms Hillson acknowledged "drugging her and touching her inappropriately." In the two months that followed, she submitted four more complaints, each including more text disclosures from the defendant about Ms Hillson "inappropriately touching other children." Hillson eventually admitted to drugging and harassing her cousin, including incidents of penetration around the age of 8, in a police interview on June 25, according to PEOPLE. She also told police that she continued doing the same when a relative came home from college in 2014. She also admitted that she had sexually touched a neighbour's two-year-old child in a public pool in the past few years, as well as at least a dozen other children, most of whom were family. According to the report, the defendant claimed she carried out "all of the actions because she has never felt 'seen' and desired to be close with another person."
Hindustan Times
24-06-2025
- Hindustan Times
‘Verify recruitment agencies on e-Migrate before seeking overseas jobs'
Jun 25, 2025 05:12 AM IST The Uttar Pradesh Police organised a day-long workshop on Tuesday aimed at tackling human trafficking, with a focus on preventing illegal recruitment practices and safeguarding potential victims. The workshop highlighted the need for recruitment agencies to be registered with the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. The workshop stressed the importance of creating awareness among the public about the risks of human trafficking and the need to verify the authenticity of recruitment agencie (For representation only) The workshop, organised by the women and child security organisation (WCSO) and 1090, was held at the police headquarters auditorium. It was attended by senior police officials from eleven districts—including Lucknow, Kanpur, and Ghaziabad—as well as representatives from the ministry of external affairs. The session was chaired by WCSO additional director general Padmja Chauhan and WCSO senior superintendent of police Vrinda Shukla. The officials and other experts suggest that individuals should verify the legitimacy of recruitment agencies on the e-Migrate portal before pursuing foreign employment. They also recommended that police officials be instructed to monitor and take action against illegal agents and fake job advertisements. Police officials were further advised to take proactive steps to identify and act against unregistered recruitment agents. They were also instructed to assist victims and help facilitate the registration of complaints through the e-Migrate portal. The workshop stressed the importance of creating awareness among the public about the risks of human trafficking and the need to verify the authenticity of recruitment agencies. The Protector of Emigrants (POE), Mukesh Kumar, highlighted the increasing cases of human trafficking and exploitation by illegal agents. He emphasised the need for public awareness and caution and informed that victims of migration scams or human trafficking can file complaints at their nearest police station. The ADG said the state police will collaborate with the ministry of external affairs and other agencies to prevent human trafficking and protect victims. The workshop aimed to equip police officials with the necessary knowledge and strategies to combat human trafficking and protect potential victims.
Time of India
24-06-2025
- Time of India
UP Police finalises plan to check human trafficking
Lucknow: In a concerted move to combat human trafficking and illegal overseas employment frauds, police officers from 11 vulnerable districts gathered at police headquarters for a strategy workshop. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The session was chaired by ADG Women & Child Safety Organisation (WCSO) Padmaja Chauhan and featured officials from the Anti-Human Trafficking Units (AHTUs), LIU, cyber cells, and the ministry of external affairs. The workshop was held in the wake of increasing cases of fraud and trafficking involving unregistered recruitment agents falsely promising overseas jobs. Authorities were told to ensure that any agent or organisation facilitating overseas employment is registered with the ministry of external affairs. Citizens were advised to verify agent credentials through the official eMigrate portal. Victims of migration-related fraud or trafficking can now file complaints at their nearest police station without delay. Police officers were instructed to prioritise such cases and conduct evidence-based, quality investigations. All district police units have been directed to launch awareness campaigns, urging citizens to engage only with verified agents when seeking employment abroad. Police were asked to keep vigil on fake job advertisements in print, digital and social media and take legal action against fraudulent employment offers and unregistered agents. Mukesh Kumar, POE (Protector of Emigrants) appointed by the ministry of external affairs for Uttar Pradesh, educated officers on the protocol to assist victims trapped abroad. He said many fall prey to forced labour, passport confiscation, non-payment of wages, and even suspicious deaths, with families often struggling to get justice or compensation. ADG Padmaja Chauhan said, "Our goal is to prevent innocent people from falling into trafficking traps."
