On December 11th, 2024 in Ozaki County, Wisconsin, officers responded to a school to investigate a 36-year-old teacher accused of improper conduct involving students. >> I wasn't down. You can come right in here. Want to have a seat? Um, just to make it clear, you're free to go anytime you're under arrest or anything. That door is unlocked. Okay. So just so you're aware, you're not you don't have to stay here or talk to us or anything. Okay. Um so I talked to pastor Brown or Eird. He told me that he kind of made you aware a while ago that law enforcement was kind of involved. >> Uh yeah, that met with our principal. >> Okay. Um what did he all tell you about that? >> That's all he said. >> Okay. Um so I guess I'll just kind of back up. I kind of just want to get to know you too before we start talking about things. So, you're Daniel Rick, right? >> And you went to college for what did you? >> Education. >> Okay. So, is that what you've always done? >> Mhm. >> Okay. Like that. >> Mhm. >> And then um I think you were a principal, right? >> It was um five room schoolhouse out in the country. So, it was good. Um I also taught four grades athletic director coach. So it was many apps. So it was I mean it was good. It's just it was a lot of work. >> Okay, I can see that. Um then what made you come down here? >> Um they offered me a position. >> Okay. Um how about um family or children or anything? >> Mhm. >> No. >> Okay. And what grades did you teach? >> Three and four. >> Okay. And then you're the athletic director there too, right? >> So what did that all entail? How does it work when you have two different grade class rooms? Are they together? So like you teach third and fourth grade or are they like separate times? >> So some classes are together, some classes are split and then when a certain grade is not in class, they just have have study hall. >> Okay. And you got to pick what grades you taught or >> I was assigned third and fourth grade. >> Okay. And then what was your duties as like the athletic director? uh just head up all the athletic a >> you have a special place for athletics or >> it's what I enjoy. >> Okay. Did you play any sports? >> Um all of it. >> Oh, all of them. >> Mhm. >> Tell me a little bit about um like your classrooms, how how daily activities or teaching went. >> So um I have my classroom schedule. I'm an organized person. So I like to say time management, stay in time, move from one class to the next. Um I had some time to do my athletic director work. So during the day like an hour re and then um and then I would just kind of oversee making sure sports run smoothly. >> Okay. Did you get to like attend the events or were you just strictly setting them up? I I always attended home events, not always away events. >> Okay. >> So, I guess we were just made aware of um kind of like their internal investigation on you and um wanted to just kind of talk to you about some things that they brought up to us and make sure there's, you know, nothing else that we need to go over. Um they provided me with um kind of like their notes from their meetings with you. Do you recall like their meetings with them? [clears throat] >> I did meet with I think five people from Christ alone. >> Okay. Did they say how this all came about? >> It was notes from variety of parents. >> Okay. >> And just kind of what they what they or the questions they asked and then the answers they provided. How did you feel about the things that were said? >> Um, I mean there were things that are false. Um, there I'll be honest there are things that are true. Uh, there are things that are overexaggerated and again false. Um, uh, obviously, you know, I'm I'm ashamed of of certain things, so of the way I acted. Um, I've always wanted to be a father. I've always wanted to have kids. And so when you have students that want to hug you every day, it it's hard not to show that love back. So >> sure, you know, rough house with them, they sat in my lap, we play. I guess that feeling of love I didn't receive when I was a child. And not that that needs to go anywhere. Um there was nothing wrong. It's just certain fathers show their love differently. But it's just I acted like a father and that was not the time and place for it. >> Okay. Are you able to share what was correct and accurate and what wasn't about what they had talked to you about? So, I think one of the parents automatically stated that I had certain that I would pick favorites at the beginning of the school year. That's that's not true. There was one parent that mentioned something about me providing mangoes as special treatment. That's not true. Yes, the kid did the square book for a volleyball game. And so the adults I, you know, because they're putting in the time, I would pay them. So a kid I'm not going to pay. So I asked what fruit he liked. >> Okay. >> So I guess it's been a while since I read the notes and so I would maybe have to be refreshed. >> Okay. Um, so with the picking favorites or whatever they said, um, did you seem to like favor some kids over more though? So I told this to the group that I met with is that students that behave well, follow directions, they are the ones that they will get to run to the office to go do an errand for me or they are the ones who get to hand back papers. They're the ones to, you know, get my books ready. They're the ones to be the classroom helper. So that's just kind of how I rewarded students who worked harder than others, >> weren't troublesome in the classroom. They didn't cause behavioral issues. So that it wasn't me just saying in front of the classroom, you're you're my favorite. That never happened. >> Sure. just um kind of gave more um like opportunities or I guess acknowledgement of their good behavior by allowing them to do other things. >> Correct. >> Okay. Any of the parents that um had comments made, do you know why they like reached out to particular ones? Um again I know who so certain parents I think again they saw like at sporting events. So one of the boys even put on an orange because that's what we do to whoever's that's a conference rule. Whoever's in charge of security they put an orange vest on. So, as I'm sweeping the floor, um, one of my students put on an orange vest and was sweeping right next to me. Wanted to do stats right next to me. Wanted to do sometimes I do the score clock. So, he would sit right next to me. So, that could be viewed by by the parents too because I guess that was what he was choosing to do. >> Okay. Do you think like the parents I'm just kind of curious how they reached out to certain parents about it? Well, the one couple, I mean, they knew, I guess, just based on probably what their son told them. Um, and then also to what would happen is that students that would move on from my classroom is that they would, I guess, think of who the favorites would be. And I told them not to do that because and I would say that multiple times throughout the throughout the years that I don't have favorites. It's just that I give opportunities to those who, you know, get their work done or who have, you know, who are disrupting the classroom, show good behavior. >> Okay. You ever received like any complaints from parents before this happened? Um yes. So and the principal had me meet with with um those parents and we we talked it over and I I went away from that meeting that you know we understood that yep I shouldn't be doing those things and the parents I mean still were cordial with me during the basketball season during the rest of the year. So um so yeah, there was some prior connection with one one couple. >> Okay. What were those complaints? >> So again mentioning, you know, I've always wanted to be a father. So there were times that a student would come to me in before school care, give me a hug before school, and that was kind of routine. Um, and so when we do religion stories, I would pull it up on my smartboard and then I I had to control it with my mouse at the computer. And so over time, the just like to stand by me. And it's all students. It's not a certain gender. All all students. Um, I shouldn't say all, but a lot of them like to stand next to me. And I I let it happen. Um, over time there were there were students that asked if they could sit on my lap and at first I I said no and but again because not having it's not it's not an excuse but it was the feeling that I had. I I've always wanted to be a dad. So yes, I let students sit on my lap. So, >> okay. >> I never had girls just because there was always a part of me that felt that that was always wrong. And having students or boys, that was wrong. But that's just what happened >> and that's what the complaint was from >> the parents previously. >> Okay. >> Um, did the principal address that with you at all prior to meeting with them? this couple. >> Mhm. >> So, he did come into my classroom, but wasn't very clear. Um, he just didn't give exact details, didn't give exact names. Um, so just told me to kind of be um careful with how, you know, I'm engaging students. That was kind of the first interaction. Um, I wish he would have specifically pointed out or said, "Hey, this is what the parents said. This is what the parents said you were doing." You know, don't do that. So, that that didn't happen in our first >> engagement. So, >> so he didn't say it was for lapsitting or anything. >> Mm-m. >> Okay. Did he before you met with those parents? >> Over time, it was after the new year. >> Okay. So, >> I can understand that would be a little frustrating for you to not understand exactly what he's trying to get at with that. Um, how did that meeting go >> with the parents? >> Like I said earlier, it was cordial. Um, you know, they they asked for the lapsitting to stop. So, and I apologized. Um, I was in tears cuz I was, you know, mortified a little bit, you know, just by my actions. And that that's kind of how, you know, they said, they still said, you know, he's still your favorite teacher. You know, just, you know, we want you to be more careful and, you know, be professional in the classroom. And I agreed. >> Okay. And how did it seem after that? like as far as with that child. >> Yeah. So, the child um it it was good. Um the child would still come close to me u sometimes lean up against me um when I was sitting at my desk and I did meet with um that student oneonone out in the hallway and I just said like hey this is what your parents you know they said we need to have you know teacher student uh relationship. So he would also towards the end of the year give me hugs again and like I just kind of said you know I'm just making sure that you know meeting with your parents that this is um you know we're not you know I don't want you do things to your parents that this is happening and um you know that they're not aware of. So, I did email right away. Um, I emailed the parents and I just said, "Hey, your your son is he gave me a hug last week, he gave me a hug this week. Just wanted you to be aware I did meet with him." And I talked about, you know, having a professional, you know, relationship. So, uh, the dad texted me back and then just said, "Yep, you know, you're we talked it over. Um, and you I can't remember exactly, but I just remember he texted me back. >> Okay. Um, any other complaints or anyone that's brought anything to your attention over the last 5 years or that you had been there? >> Uh, so, uh, the family two years ago. They met with the principal, a different principal, and then the principal and they met with me. And it was it was a really awkward meeting because she said that I didn't have classroom management and because of that their child was having thoughts and I didn't know how to respond. I just remember that that was kind of the attack is that because they thought I didn't have classroom management um their child was having thoughts. >> Any other things you can think of that came to you >> crying? No. Um, >> I know you said you wouldn't have girls sit on your lap just because it felt wrong. Um, did you like have like a preference? Did you feel closer to, you know, the athletic um, kind of side of things? Does that seem accurate? >> Mhm. >> Okay. So, it kind of formed more of a bond in that way. >> Yeah. >> Okay. It was never like me initiating hugs or forcing hugs. I It was always uh the student. Um and I think what happened is that there was a student in my class that was on the spectrum and um even the mom told me that physical touch is something that you know he needed. Um, and not not that she was asked me to do it, it's just that she said if he hugs you, just be aware. Um, so I think because other boys saw that, then they were inclined to also give me hugs as well. So, and I >> was that towards like when you first started or when was the child on the spectrum and your >> Yeah, this was um two years ago. >> Okay. >> So, >> um so you think kind of just other kids seeing it happening kind of opened up the door? Okay. Any other kids that were like hugging you or sitting on your lap? >> There there are others. Yeah. >> Okay. Any issues with them or their parents at any time? Um when I read the notes, um I mentioned the one student with the mangoes and I saw the notes that the mom and dad said, you know, never again. And and that did that happened because the student told me that he said that my mom doesn't or my dad doesn't want you to or want me to sit in your lap anymore. And I said that's that's fine. Um, so it wasn't that the parents reached out to me, it was just that the students said it to me. >> Okay. Are these kids in like the same class or are they >> Yeah, since it's a multi-grade classroom. Um, so it would be, you know, the fifth and sixth graders and then last year would have been the fourth and fifth graders in my classroom. >> Okay. I see. So they're in fifth and sixth grade now is what you're saying. >> Uh yes. Some are still in fourth grade. >> Okay. So how does that work if they're in like they stay in third and fourth grade until they move to fifth and sixth grade? There's not fourth and fifth. >> Correct. >> Okay. >> Um how many kids are in like your class at a time? >> Um 16. >> Okay. >> Or I think I think that was the number this year. >> Okay. The other notes from the meeting were um yeah, I was hugging the lap sitting. Um there's something about a nap >> that is false information. So yes, the nap happened. I do that every year as a joke, not as something fun for the kids because my classroom is right next to the preschool classroom. And so they have nap time. My, you know, they know that the kids have nap time from like 12:30 to 1:30. And so it was always, you know, something that they wanted to have. And I said, "You can have it at the end of the school year." That was my thing that I always said. Um, so cuz I can remember a sixth grade girl, I mean, she she badgered me to have um nap time. So I said, "We'll do it one day." Um, and so then it's just something that I've done every year. Um, I know where this is going. That student and that parent said that I was stroking uh this child's hair and that absolutely did not happen. That did not happen. >> Okay. So, the kids like to play um they call it head tap where they'll tap you um or tap their classmates on the head as like a game. And I always said, you know, that's at recess, do that recess. So, as they were laying down, I imagined that game was going on because there were other students by him. So, but that was not for me. >> Okay. So he was behind the desk too or in in front of the desk? >> He was behind my um bookshelf. So it's like desk bookshelf here. >> But close enough to touch each other. >> No. >> Okay. >> Mm-m. >> What about saying I love you to kids? >> So that I did not start that. >> Okay. >> Uh that was that came from and over time. You know, at first I never said it back. Um but then towards the end of the school year, I I did say it back to him. It was uh so I mentioned the student with um who was never documented, but what we feel was um I always felt he was slightly on the spectrum. >> Okay. Um, he would say it. I would say it to him, too. >> How does that come about? >> Uh, I it was just random one time, so it wasn't, you know, anything. I guess it just happened. So, he I think it happened when you're standing in um in lunch line. Okay. at times that, you know, they would just joke and say like I, you know, that I was their dad and I let them say that. So, um, so that started and so I think because of just I did allow the lap sitting to happen, it probably morphed from that. >> Okay. Um, what about rubbing kids backs? >> So, again, when I've always wanted to be a father, um, when I first came here three times that, you know, I thought I had a partner was the one and all three times it didn't work out. So um so just having that all to deal with that emotionally that was tough. So sometimes kids would would stand at my podium um when they they would um when we were doing corrections or if they needed help with a problem. And so sometimes they would lean into me and yes. So, I would I would rub their back and I realized that that was wrong of me. >> Okay. I appreciate you just being honest with me so I can just try and figure out everything that happened. Um, was it over their clothing or underneath their shirt? >> Um, it was always on always on above clothing. So, um I think there could have been one time where a student was wearing a shorter shirt and I it some of this I think back and kind of think of what exactly happened. And so there could have been time where I made some skin contact, but it wasn't me purposefully trying to do that. >> Okay. And I believe you when you say like you didn't force anyone to give you hugs or sit on your lap or anything. And I I can see like in your demeanor that you do feel bad for this happening and maybe didn't realize at the time the things that were happening. So, um, and I don't think that anyone said you forced them to, just so you know. Okay. Have you ever had like meetings or talks with the kids about not sharing anything that's been happening? >> So, this is also where the information is false. So a little so yes I so sometimes the kids I like to joke with the kids and so like an example would be I had a ruler and so as a joke someone a student that I knew that would um you know would be able to handle it. So, I'd smack their desk and just kind of as a joke. Um, you know, and and just kind of be, you know, kidding with them. Um, but then they would say like, oh, or say something like Mr. Rick, you know, is going to, you know, smack us if we're not, okay? And I would tell them, you can't you can't say that. like even if you know it's a joke cuz if that goes then the parents might think something bad is happening. Um that that's an example. Um another example would be like on the swings. So um the boys played football and basketball, kickball. The girls like the swings and the gliders. And so the girls were always shouting for me to to uh give them or push them. But I would I would just grab the chain and I would do it this way. I would never push them in the back. >> And so I mean that went home because a parent brought it up to me one time that in a joking way that um you know she's like well my daughter came home and said um Mr. Rick was going to push me off the swing or something. And it's just like no like I just you know take the chain and tell me when to stop. So, so yes, um there are there were times where I would tell the students, make sure that what you are saying at home is something that is truthful or something that is not understood in the wrong way. So, >> what about um ever saying to like not tell them about hugging um or to make sure that it's just you two in private, no one else sees? Yeah. No, it it was I never said that to students to just to say, "Don't tell your parents that I'm hugging you. Don't tell your parents that you're saying on my lap." I I never said that to to students. >> Okay. Did you ever make a comment about how you could go to jail or get in trouble? >> So, there was It scared me. um scared me. And I also at the same time um with um with someone that is a friend kind of mentioned something that happened at their school where a police officer came to the school and met with the teacher. Um because a mom reported that the teacher touched her uh touched her but while zipping up her jacket. So that scared me because that obviously that police officer came to the school and and interviewed that teacher. And so one time I I told him that I first of all I apologized. I said I should not have treated you like my own um for for me to have you sit in my lap, rub your back. That that was wrong of me. And I said I could I could get in trouble. I could lose my job. Um I could get in trouble with law enforcement. And I I apologized and I did say that I'm sorry if you if you tell your parents, I understand, but if you keep it between us, you know, that's just kind of what I said. >> Okay. When was that? >> That was last school year. >> Okay. Um, did you think like any of the things that you were doing would have sent you to jail? >> Um, well, >> aside from hearing the story, like >> Well, that's why >> you nervous. >> Yes. That's why I said that >> is because I got so scared that and I realized that for me to say that was completely out of place, stupid, and not appropriate whatsoever. And it it was me saying that out of and not because I knew I was doing something illegal. I realized that how I was treating students was was wrong. So I guess that was my gut reaction to somehow fix the problem. >> Okay. >> Or fix what happened. And I think about it and it's I wish I never said that. So, >> uh, what about like have you ever kissed a child on the back of the head or anywhere? >> So, the end of the school year two years ago, there were multiple I shouldn't say multiple, a couple couple students that were begging me to teach fifth and sixth grade next year to switch to go to fifth and sixth grade. Um, and repeatedly they were saying, "We will miss you. Like, we love you. Like, we want you. We want you to keep teaching us." Um, last day of school, I had three students in tears. Um, I had one that wouldn't let go of my hand. That student, it was leaving, time to leave. Um, that student, yes, uh, kissed me. I kissed him back. So, >> okay. Where were the kisses? >> Um, I think in the notes it said forehead, but I don't remember it being the forehead. >> Okay. And when was that? It said the end of >> 2 years ago. >> Okay. What about any trips like outside of school? like field trips or >> um like with kids outside of like just a free time like you have you ever asked a kid to go I don't need trips with you just to hang out with you outside of school. >> Um I did offer to go or this was quite a few years ago. I did offer like to pull kids on a snowmobile down at our south campus and I'm trying to think if we had enough snow that year. Um so that was an offering that I gave. I did offer a couple families who to go kayaking. Um and parents responded that they they just were busy when I was available to go. >> Did anyone ever go with you? What did you do? >> We went up and down the Milwaukee River. >> Kayaking. Mhm. >> Okay. When was that? >> Oh, boy. 3 years ago. >> Okay. Just him or did his family go or? >> So, I picked him up from his house and he was in one kayak and I was in the other. >> Okay. What about anyone sitting like on your lap and rubbing their stomach? If if that happened, if it did, um I would grab maybe at their waist and move them. >> As the interview went on, technical issues arose as the audio from the camera began cutting out. Following the recorded segment, Daniel continued to discuss several other interactions he had with students during his time as a teacher and athletic director. He detailed an instance where he touched a student's stomach underneath their shirt, an incident school officials admitted parents had not been previously aware of until the investigation began. Investigators subsequently requested a search of his phone, submitting preservation requests to both Verizon and Apple to obtain any potential video or digital evidence. Daniel was then arrested and officially charged on January 21st, 2025. His felony charges included enticement and exposing genitals to a and his initial cash bond was set at $100,000. Just over a year later, on January 27th, 2026, Daniel accepted a plea agreement. He plead guilty to the felony charge of exposing genitals to a child, while the felony child enticement charge was dismissed by the court, but read in for sentencing purposes. During his sentencing hearing on April 7th, 2026, the judge imposed the maximum allowable sentence. Daniel was sentenced to 18 months in state prison followed by 2 years of extended supervision. As part of his sentence, he is required to comply with the offender registry for 15 years and complete any offender treatment deemed appropriate by his agent. He is strictly barred from having contact with any child under the age of 18 without agent approval as well as the victim, witnesses, and the Cool.