Travis Bowden, Part-Time St. Vrain Valley School District Janitor, Arrested On Suspicion Of Sexual Assault On A Child

A substitute janitor in the St. Vrain Valley School District was arrested early Saturday morning on suspicion of sexually assaulting a child. Police say his mug shot is not being released at this time because it may be used in a photo lineup to determine whether he had inappropriate contact with other students.

On Friday, a Boulder County deputy found part-time janitor Travis Bowden, 24, in a parked car with a 13-year-old at Lagerman Reservoir around 11:30 p.m. The girl told the deputy that she had had sex with Bowden at his home in Longmont on Thanksgiving morning. In an arrest affidavit obtained by 7News, Bowden says he met the girl about a year ago while she was playing with other children in his neighborhood.

John Poynton, a public information officer with the St. Vrain Valley School District told The Huffington Post that all employees in the school district undergo background checks, "including part-time night custodians". Poynton says police have confirmed that Bowden had no prior arrest record or criminal history, and that Bowden has been employed with the district only since July or August of this year.

Bowden told police that he became friends with the girl, and described himself as being like a "big brother" to her. He says he helped her with her homework and even became friends with her parents. At first he denied any sexual contact, but then Bowden told detectives that the girl came onto him the day before Thanksgiving when she visited his house, admitted sexual contact, but denied having intercourse.

Though this case is not considered a school-related incident, the victim is a student in the St. Vrain Valley School District, and Poynton says district officials are working with police.

Bowden is being held on suspicion of one count of sexual assault on a child by one in a position of trust.