BALTIMORE – A karate teacher who was previously contracted with the Baltimore City Public Schools was arrested on sexual abuse charges of minors.
Police said 56-year-old Stephen Kenion, an ex-contractual karate teacher with the school district, has been accused of having multiple intimate relationships with minors dating back to 2009.
Police said Kenion used his position as a karate instructor to “gain the trust of vulnerable young girls.”
Baltimore City Public Schools said Kenion was employed as a contractual temporary martial arts teacher at Cherry Hill elementary/middle school from 2010 to 2012. He was then hired as a vendor to teach martial arts in Baltimore City Public Schools in 2020.
“In both instances, there was nothing in his background and fingerprinting that precluded him from employment. He has been placed on administrative leave,” Baltimore City Public Schools said in a statement to WJZ.
Kenion has been charged with perverted practices, second-degree rape, numerous counts of second-degree assault and various sex offenses.
On Sept. 21, an alleged victim told police she had been involved in a sexual relationship with Kenion while she was 14 years old when she attended his karate school in 2009 om the Walbrook Junction area of Baltimore.
Charging documents went on to say she developed a friendship with Kenion and was invited to hang out and spend the night at his home. He was 43 years old and she was 14.
She told police they were engaged in sexual activities, causing her to get pregnant, according to documents.
Documents said the relationship ended but Kenion continued with parental roles.
The girl told police she noticed Kenion was spending a lot of time with a 10-year-old who was in fifth grade at Friendship Academy-Cherry Hill Elementary/Middle School.
According to documents, she would stay late working with Kenion because she didn’t want to go home, and that he would continue buying her things. Documents said sexual activities reportedly continued until she was 17.
The girl confirmed to police those details when she was interviewed.
That girl told police she learned of another young girl Kenion invited in to live with them in their shared home.
Another girl came forward and told police she was sexually assaulted in 2014 when she was 8 years old.
Detectives believe that there are more young girls Kenion preyed on, and hope they will come forward.
Anyone who has information or has previously been victimized by Kenion is asked to call police at 410-396-2076.