Durham teacher charged with molesting children while on vacation

Nathan Stuart Elder, 44, is charged with molestation of a child in Maricopa County, Ariz., and court documents show similar charges are pending in Oakland, Calif.

Elder was visiting relatives in Phoenix on Dec. 29 when a young girl told her parents that he had fondled her, court documents state. Elder denied any wrongdoing, saying he was merely tickling the girl.

When the relatives notified other family members in Oakland, where Elder had visited before going to Phoenix, of the situation, a young girl there reported similar fondling had occurred and that Elder had taken a picture of her during the alleged incident, according to court documents.

Police in Oakland were investigating that incident when Elder was arrested in Phoenix, according to court documents.

Tammy Squires, who heads the Montessori School of Durham, said Elder was fired as soon as school officials found out about his arrest.

"On January 1, we learned that a part-time employee, Nathan Elder, was arrested in Phoenix, Arizona, on December 30, 2018, for child molestation involving a family member. The school immediately terminated his employment. We have notified parents and provided resources to address questions," Squires said in a statement.

"We have not received any reports of inappropriate conduct by this employee during his four months here but will carefully review the nature of his conduct," she said. "We are committed to the safety and well-being of our students, follow rigorous background and reference checks and maintain clear protocols that prevent students from being alone with employees."