A former counselor from Carmichael’s Charles Park Elementary School, Wonyoung Kim, has been arrested on multiple child molestation charges, following a lengthy investigation, authorities confirmed Thursday.
The investigation began in September 2024, after Roseville police received a report about an inappropriate incident involving Kim, a youth group leader at Bayside Church. According to church officials, Kim had passed a background check before his involvement. However, an “awkward and inappropriate” text exchange between Kim and a minor prompted the church to file a police report within 24 hours and remove him from his position.
As the investigation progressed, detectives uncovered two separate reports of sexual assault, both involving victims who were students at Charles Park Elementary School in Carmichael. Kim was arrested on February 13, 2025, at his home in Roseville and is facing eight counts of lewd acts on children under 14, and two counts of lewd acts on children by force.
Kim, who worked as a counselor at Charles Park Elementary since 2020, was placed on administrative leave in September 2024, and he has not returned to campus. School officials assured that they are working with families to provide support for students who may be affected by this news.
Authorities are also investigating Kim’s history with other schools, including several institutions in Southern California and a Sacramento Korean language school. Investigators are concerned that there may be additional unreported victims.
Anyone with further information or who believes they may be a victim is urged to contact the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office.