THIENSVILLE, Wis. – A now-former teacher at a Thiensville private school has been charged with child sex crimes.

What we know:

The accused is 36-year-old Daniel Rick of Jackson. He is a former teacher and athletic director at Christ Alone Lutheran School.

He faces the following charges:

• Child enticement-expose genitals/pubic area/intimate parts
• Exposing genitals/pubic area/intimate parts to a child

Case details

A criminal complaint accuses Rick of picking “favorite” boy students each year and having some of them sit on his lap, where he would touch their stomachs or rub their backs and kiss them.

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One student told Thiensville police he later told the student he had to stop because he “could lose his job or go to jail.”

The complaint adds that when parents met with Rick to discuss his behavior in January 2024, Rick “quickly broke into tears” then tried justifying his actions with a comparison to Jesus, saying, “Let the little children come to me.”

Last month, detectives learned of even worse accusations, dating back to January 2024.

A student told police Rick asked him to come to his classroom after school.

According to prosecutors, Rick compared the boy’s athletic abilities to older students, then pulled the boy’s pants down to “see his pubic hair.”

Rick’s accused of later kissing the boy on the cheek and instructing him not to tell anyone because he “didn’t want to get in trouble.”

The complaint states Rick admitted “what he did was wrong” in an interview last Friday with investigators.

In court

What’s next:

Rick made his initial court appearance on Tuesday, Jan. 21. His bond has been set at $100,000.

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Rick has also been ordered to have no contact with Christ Alone Lutheran School or Christ Alone Lutheran Church, or anyone under 18 years old, and to also not use the internet.

He is due back in court in February.

School’s response

What they’re saying:

Christ Alone Lutheran School provided the following:

“Dear Christ Alone Ev. Lutheran School Families, 

Student safety is a top priority for us at Christ Alone Lutheran School. In working with law enforcement, we have been informed and want to inform you that Mr. Rick has been charged with criminal conduct. We understand this information raises concerns. Since criminal charges are now pending, no additional information can be released at this time. 

If you have any information relevant to this investigation or have concerns for your child, please contact the law enforcement officer listed below. Law enforcement advises that you please do not ask your children any specific questions regarding the above information. Law enforcement can help with how to approach the topic with your child, prepare you for reacting appropriately to their responses, and explain the process if necessary.

Ozaukee County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Karsen Frame 
(262) 284-8462 
kframe@ozaukeecounty.gov 

We ask for your prayers on behalf of everyone who is hurting because of this turn of events. We commend everything into the hands of Him who assured us, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (Jn 14:27)”