Former Phoenix Brophy teacher Dan Whitehead arrested on child molestation charges

PHOENIX - A former Brophy College Preparatory teacher who was fired in November 2011 amid allegations of sexual advances from two former students was taken into custody on Saturday.

Dan P. Whitehead, 71, was booked into the Maricopa County Jail, said Phoenix Police Sgt. Tommy Thompson in a news release.

He was charged with Sexual Assault, Attempted Sexual Abuse, Furnishing Harmful Items to a Minor and Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor.

Thompson said several adult victims and witnesses had come forward to police, which allowed investigators to conduct their investigation into incidents that occurred in the 1980s.

The investigation revealed that Whitehead, who had been a math teacher at the school since 1967, viewed pornography and provided alcohol to victims that he had invited to his home for various reasons, according to Thompson.

Brophy College Preparatory Vice President Adria Renke released the following statement on Saturday:

In November of 2011 Brophy College Preparatory was made aware of credible allegations of inappropriate sexual advances toward minors made against then faculty member, Mr. Dan Whitehead by former students who are now adults. The allegations were immediately reported to the Phoenix Police department, Mr. Whitehead was terminated on November 21, 2011 and the entire community was subsequently notified of these events.

Today the County Attorney's office has announced that Mr. Whitehead has been taken into custody and faces multiple charges. Brophy will continue to cooperate fully with the Phoenix Police department and the County Attorney in this investigation.

Brophy College Preparatory takes its responsibility to protect its students seriously and to provide any and all support to victims of abuse who are or have been students of Brophy.

As in the past we continue to reach out to victims, urging them to contact the President's office at 602.264.5291, ext. 6248 for assistance and support. Brophy is grateful to those who have come forward and continues to pray for them and all victims of abuse.