A former Lawrence school district paraeducator pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges related to allegedly grooming and inappropriately touching a student.
Caleb Rahmeier’s attorney intends to file a motion to suppress evidence in his trial. Douglas County District Judge Amy Hanley will conduct a motions hearing before scheduling the trial date.
Rahmeier, 38, is charged with one count of aggravated indecent liberties with a child, one count of attempted sexual exploitation of a child, and one count of sexual exploitation of a child, which are all felonies. He is also charged with one count of contributing to child misconduct or deprivation, a misdemeanor.
Following a preliminary hearing in August, Hanley ruled that there was sufficient evidence for Rahmeier to face a jury trial.
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A teenager who Rahmeier allegedly spoke to and touched inappropriately testified during that hearing that the former para helped him sneak out from his home around 30 times. Law enforcement witnesses also said that his laptop contained evidence that he had viewed hundreds of files of child sexual abuse material.
Read details of the allegations and more about the evidence presented during the hearing in the articles linked below.
Rahmeier appeared for court via Zoom with his defense attorney, Tyler Childress of Bath & Edmonds.
Rahmeier waived his right to a speedy trial until Hanley rules on motions. Typically, Hanley would need to schedule a trial within 180 days of Rahmeier entering a plea. Childress said they intend to file “a few motions,” including a motion to suppress, though he did not elaborate on what evidence they’ll seek to keep out of court.
The court will schedule Rahmeier’s motions hearing during a Zoom conference at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18. Attorneys for the defendant have a filing deadline of Friday, Nov. 13, and the state has a response filing deadline of Friday, Dec. 11.
Rahmeier was arrested on Oct. 31, 2025, and a relative bonded him out of the Douglas County jail for $40,000.
Defendants in criminal cases should be presumed not guilty unless they are convicted.
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Wulfe Wulfemeyer (they/them), reporter and news editor, has worked with The Lawrence Times since May 2025. They can be reached at [email protected].
Read their complete bio here. Read their work for the Times here.
Resources for survivors
If you have experienced sexual violence or trauma, please seek the help that’s right for you. There are many options available, and you don’t have to file a police report if you don’t want to.
Get 24/7 help in Lawrence: The Sexual Trauma & Abuse Care Center
- Call 785-843-8985 to reach an advocate, 24/7. (Consider saving that number in your phone in case you or someone you know ever needs it.)
- After an assault: What are my options? Check this page for detailed information about
- talking to an advocate,
- going to the hospital,
- making a police report,
- and/or talking to a counselor or therapist.
Resources on university campuses:
- KU: Contact CARE (Campus Assistance, Resource, and Education) Services: University of Kansas students can make an appointment online at careservices.ku.edu, by email, [email protected], or by calling 785-864-9255. It’s free, confidential and voluntary to talk with the CARE Coordinator. All genders welcome. Read more here.
- Find more KU campus resources at this link. Specific information about sexual assault exams can be found under the “Medical Care” tab.
- Haskell: Find information about Haskell’s campus advocate coordinator and links to additional local, regional and tribal resources at this link.
- Baker: Find Baker University’s Title IX page at this link.
Domestic violence situations: The Willow Domestic Violence Center
- Reach the Willow for help 24/7 at 785-843-3333.
- Find more resources on the Willow’s website at this link.
More resources
- The Children’s Advocacy Center of Douglas County offers support and resources for children and families affected by child abuse. See their website at cacdouglas.org, call them at 785-592-3160 or stop by their office at 1009 New Hampshire St. in Lawrence.
- StrongHearts Native Helpline: Call 1-844-7NATIVE (762-8483) for 24/7 safe, confidential and anonymous domestic and sexual violence support for Native Americans and Alaska Natives that is culturally appropriate.
- National hotline: Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), text “START” to 88788, and/or visit thehotline.org to chat and learn more, 24/7.
Related coverage:
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times
Latest Lawrence news:
Cuyler Dunn/Lawrence Times
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
