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Former Muskegon County teacher accused of sexual assault

Hilson says the accusations cannot be prosecuted because the statue of limitations has passed.

MUSKEGON COUNTY, Mich. - Six women have come forward to tell Muskegon County Prosecutor D.J. Hilson they were sexually assaulted by their teacher while students at Twin Lake Elementary school in the Reeths-Puffer School District. Hilson says he believes more women in Muskegon County may have similar stories to share with investigators.

The allegations against Morgan Tatrow, 80, happened in the 1960's. School district records show Tatrow retired from Reeths-Puffer in the spring of 1992.

Hilson says the accusations cannot be prosecuted because the statue of limitations has passed. The women contacted his office in August and September and according to Hilson each had similar encounters with Tatrow.

"The conduct that has been described to me all occurred either during school time, in the classroom, or between class periods," said Hilson.

Hilson could not elaborate on what the women say Tatrow did to them at their school. He could describe the abuse as acts that would result in second-degree criminal sexual conduct charges if the acts happened today.

The school district tells 13 On Your Side there's no record of any signs of trouble in Tatrow's personnel file.

While the alleged abuse in Muskegon County can not be charged, another accusations against Tatrow is more recent and is being prosecuted.

That case was filed this year in Delta County in Michgian's Upper Peninsula.

The second-degree criminal sexual conduct charged in that county involves a girl younger than 13. It's said to have occurred between 2008 and 2010.

Right now the charge is on hold. The delay allows the Delta County Prosecutor time to meet with the women in Muskegon County who say Tatrow molested them.

The information gathered in Muskegon County could be used to bolster the prosecutor's case in Delta County by showing a pattern of behavior.

Hilson asks anyone concerned about contact with Tatrow in Muskegon County to call his office at 231-724-6435.

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