Bainbridge Police arrested a 62-year-old Bainbridge Island School District para-educator Friday, on suspicion of sexually abusing a 17-year-old special needs student at the Aquatic Center.

According to a police statement, a student reported seeing inappropriate touching between para-educator Stephen C. Buitenveld and the mentally challenged student in a hot tub on June 11. School district employees notified police the same day.

Officers interviewed the witness and reviewed surveillance tape from the Aquatic Center and confirmed the witness’ account, the statement said.

According to police, Buitenveld initially refused to contact police for an interview. Officers attempted to contact Buitenveld at his home, but he refused to come to the door and later tried “exiting the home in attempts to elude police,” the statement said.

Buitenveld was arrested and booked into Kitsap County Jail Friday night on one felony count of indecent liberties. Bail was initially set at $500,000.

Buitenveld’s bail was reduced to $15,000 when the suspect appeared in Kitsap Superior Court Monday afternoon. Buitenveld was not formally charged and an arraignment hearing was scheduled for June 17.

According to Bainbridge School District spokesperson Pam Keyes, Buitenveld has been placed on administrative leave. Keyes said Buitenveld has been employed with Bainbridge High School for at least six years.

Correction:This version corrects an earlier version, which used an incorrect spelling of Buitenveld’s name, provided in a police release.