PHOENIX – A West Valley teacher arrested earlier this year allegedly molested or attempted to molest more children than initially thought, according to court records.

Ricky Ordway was booked on six counts in May for allegedly molesting three girls.

But in August, the fifth grade teacher at Sun Valley Elementary School in Peoria was indicted on 24 felony counts involving 12 victims under age 15.

The grand jury indictment lists six counts of molestation of a child, 15 counts of attempt to commit molestation of a child and three counts of sexual abuse.

Most of the alleged offenses took place from August 2018 to May 2019. Four alleged incidents were from further back, occurring between June 2010 and Aug. 2011.

Police said the school’s principal notified them on May 7 that Ordway, 43, had allegedly inappropriately touched a student.

Investigators then discovered Ordway had allegedly molested two more victims at the school near Northern Avenue and Loop 101.

At the time, a Peoria Unified School District spokeswoman said Ordway had worked for the district since August 2016 and was placed on administrative leave on May 8.

According to the Maricopa County Superior Court website, Ordway’s next court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 14.

Anyone with additional information was asked to contact the Peoria Police Department at 623-773-8976 or Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS.

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