Another MCPS employee arrested for sexual abuse of minor

Montgomery County police have arrested a Montgomery County Public Schools paraeducator after he allegedly propositioned and inappropriately touched a 16-year-old student at Horizon Child Care, Inc. in Silver Spring, where he was simultaneously employed. Police say Thomas Henry Ridges, 38, of Chase Terrace in Beltsville offered the girl a ride home and propositioned her on July 20.

Ridges had previously inappropriately touched the same victim two years ago at Horizon's summer camp, detectives say. In the latest incident, Ridges allegedly encouraged the girl to send him nude photographs of herself. He also allegedly drove her to a liquor store, and encouraged her to drink alcoholic beverages.

Police have charged Ridges with two counts of sexual abuse of a minor and a fourth-degree sexual offense, but he is now free on bond. Detectives are concerned that there may be other victims in the case. This is just the latest sex abuse scandal involving an MCPS employee, who in this case was also a coach at Springbrook High School, as well as an MCPS paraeducator.

Detectives are requesting that parents of juveniles who attend Horizon Child Care, Inc. or who have had contact with Ridges to talk to their children about possible interactions with Ridges and contact SVID detectives at 240-773-5400 if they believe their child was victimized.