December 22, 2024
Financial Assets

Former FBISD karate instructor faces $500K in bonds for sexual assault, child porn


A longtime associate of Chuck Norris and a key figure in the KICKSTART KIDS program was arrested following serious allegations involving a student from Fort Bend ISD.

In July, KPRC 2 Investigates learned Dona Pettway was under investigation by the Fort Bend ISD Police Department. He was contracted by the district to teach karate to children and one of the schools he taught at was Quail Valley Middle School.

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Warrants for Pettway’s arrest went out Friday afternoon for sexual assault of a child and possession of child porn. He is accused of engaging in sexual relations with a female student.

Following the initial allegations, Pettway was terminated from his role at KICKSTART KIDS.

Screenshot of Quail Valley Middle School featuring photo of Pettway and Norris (Copyright 2024 by KPRC Click2Houston – All rights reserved.)

Chief Director of Operations John Kurek told staff, “I sent an email out last week informing the staff that Mr. Pettway no longer is employed by KICKSTART KIDS. I am also wanting to inform the staff that if you are approached by the media that you have no comment…”

It’s unclear if parents of the children Pettway taught were notified at the time of his dismissal.

Email sent to parents (Copyright 2024 by KPRC Click2Houston – All rights reserved.)

While investigators looked into the allegations, the district terminated Pettway’s contract.

Fort Bend ISD spokesperson Sherry Williams issued the following statement to KPRC 2 Investigates regarding the incident:

The district was recently made aware of an allegation of inappropriate conduct of a contracted employee with a student. The contracted employee was recently released from the district and will not be returning to any FBISD campus pending the results of an investigation by the Fort Bend ISD Police Department. If any student, staff, or parent has concerns or information regarding inappropriate conduct, please contact FBISD Police at 281-634-5500 or to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 281-491-8477.

The charges of sexual assault of a child and possession of child pornography each come with a $250,000 bond.

Copyright 2024 by KPRC Click2Houston – All rights reserved.



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