(WisEye.org)
MADISON, Wis. — Kenosha Police Chief Patrick Patton delivered sharp, unfiltered testimony on October 23rd before the Assembly Committee on Government Operations, Accountability, and Transparency — chaired by Rep. Amanda Nedweski (R), who noted at the outset that Kenosha County Eye was the publication that first broke the Christian James Enwright grooming case — and Patton told lawmakers that the Kenosha Unified School District mishandled the situation from the very beginning.
(WisEye.org)
The hearing was part of a growing statewide push to strengthen Wisconsin’s laws governing sexual misconduct, educator discipline, and grooming behavior in schools. Patton’s testimony, combined with lawmakers’ repeated references to the details uncovered in Kenosha County Eye’s original reporting, made the Enwright case the central example driving their reform efforts.
(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Chief Says KUSD Failed the Family and Withheld Key Information
Rep. Nedweski asked Chief Patton to walk the committee through the timeline, and he made it unmistakably clear that KUSD’s response was inadequate. He testified that school administrators questioned the 13–14-year-old victim about her communications with her teacher — Christian James Enwright — without notifying her parents first. He also explained that KUSD allowed the student to keep her phone afterward, giving her the opportunity to delete large amounts of communication with Enwright, including Snapchat messages later recovered by investigators.
Patton emphasized that KUSD never contacted police directly.
“Parents should have been notified immediately,” Patton said. “And law enforcement should have been contacted immediately. That didn’t happen.”
He testified that the case only reached the Kenosha Police Department because an anonymous report was made to county child-protection authorities — not because KUSD followed mandatory reporting procedures.
(Cell Phone Photo By Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Principal Scott Hodges Initially Handled the Enwright Matter
Patton’s testimony aligns with records obtained by Kenosha County Eye, which show that the first school administrator to be notified of suspicious behavior by Enwright was then–KTEC West Principal Scott Hodges. Hodges conducted the district’s initial handling of the matter in February 2024. He later resigned from KUSD after years of controversy surrounding his management of grooming-related concerns.
Hodges now works for a charter school in Wisconsin as an Assistant Administrator at Pathways High Milwaukee.
KCE Credited for Revealing the Case to the Public
During her introduction, Rep. Nedweski stated that a local Kenosha news outlet broke the story — a direct reference to Kenosha County Eye. She told the committee that KCE’s reporting “brought immediate attention” to the Enwright scandal and forced transparency that otherwise may not have occurred.
Other committee members did not reference media coverage by name, but the chair’s acknowledgement made clear that KCE’s reporting shaped the committee’s understanding of how the case unfolded.
Chief Describes Disturbing Evidence and a Legal System That Couldn’t Charge Grooming
Chief Patton told lawmakers that detectives recovered hundreds of messages and images between Enwright and the victim, including late-night chats, compliments about her body, expressions of jealousy, and emotional manipulation. Investigators recognized the dynamic as textbook grooming.
But Patton made clear that Wisconsin law failed the victim.
He explained that prosecutors could not charge Enwright with a sexual crime because:
- Wisconsin had no criminal offense for grooming.
- The new staff–student sexual-misconduct statute did not apply once Enwright changed buildings.
- The images did not meet the narrow statutory definition required for a felony sexual charge.
As a result, prosecutors charged Enwright with multiple counts of disorderly conduct — a legal workaround that left lawmakers visibly frustrated as Patton detailed the limitations they faced.
Legislators Tie the Enwright Case Directly to New Bills
Rep. Nedweski told the committee that the Enwright scandal is precisely why she introduced legislation to criminalize grooming and overhaul Wisconsin’s educator-discipline process. She said the public would never have understood how easily this could happen without Kenosha County Eye’s initial reporting.
Members also noted that the Enwright case revealed gaps within DPI’s oversight system and inconsistent reporting practices across school districts statewide.
Patton’s testimony showed how those failures played out in real time.
Federal Lawsuit Filed by “Holly’s” Parents Against KUSD
The parents of the victim — referred to in Kenosha County Eye reporting as “Holly” — have filed a federal lawsuit against KUSD alleging that the district ignored or mishandled warning signs and violated their daughter’s rights by failing to follow proper reporting procedures. The lawsuit was originally filed in Kenosha County Circuit Court before being moved to federal court, where additional defendants were added.
That lawsuit remains pending.
KUSD’s Conduct Described as a Warning to the Rest of the State
When asked directly about school districts’ obligations, Patton did not mince words. He told the committee that KUSD’s actions “were not consistent with best practices” and that the district’s response “created delays and complications” in the investigation.
He said that questioning a minor about communications with an adult teacher — without parents present and without contacting law enforcement — is a serious procedural failure. Lawmakers called the district’s actions “deeply troubling” and a “clear example of why statutory reform is necessary.”
A Hearing That Put the State — and KUSD — Under a Spotlight
By the end of Patton’s testimony, it was clear that:
- KUSD mishandled the initial report.
- Parents were not notified when they should have been.
- Law enforcement was not notified when it should have been.
- Wisconsin had no grooming statute.
- Kenosha County Eye played a central role in exposing the case and prompting statewide reforms.
- Hodges, the administrator who initially handled the matter, resigned and now works at a charter school.
Chair Nedweski closed by emphasizing that without KCE’s reporting, the Enwright case “might never have seen meaningful public scrutiny.”
The Legislature is now advancing multiple bills directly addressing the failures highlighted by the Enwright scandal.
26 Responses
Thank goodness we have the KCE. Regardless if you feel a certain way, this publication stamps a firm accountability into the landscape of Kenosha. LONG OVER DUE!
without kenosha eye, this story would have been hidden. KUSD is a filthy organization funded by tax slaves.
Thank you KCE for showing us the truth and what’s really going on !!!
That’s OUR Chief right there. Nice work Chief Patton, you are more than respected in the community. He is very transparent and brings to light the issues and roadblocks our community are currently facing. Protecting children from this kind of behavior is an absolute must. Kudos to KM for covering this as it’s a positive step in the right direction. The other officer is cute too. Shafler or whatever lol.
Looks like the person who dislikes this comment feels as though our children are safe with a groomer teaching kids. Probably a felon or someone who has had contact with KPD but “is innocent” GTFOH. Obey the law dis-liker. Probably mad your food stamps were denied, not the Chief’s fault. Get a job. The word today is job, J.O.B. Plenty of places hiring but I’m guessing you can’t pass a piss test with the food stamps you sold for weed. Stays in your system for 30, homie. You know this, MAN!
I think it really isn’t a dislike, only that a person read the post or not..like a marker…
Anyone that has ever read a FB post knows thumbs down is dislike…hell its been around since the romans voted death. Give me an fn break
You did good Kevin.
You will sleep better tonight.
Thanks Kevin!
What issues Kenosha has here will be of concern to some, but should be for many. KUSD is guilty of many of their policies. We know they could care less about the childrens safety. We know they have power and control issues. But I wouldnt trust Patton and his department, especially with holding keys to your own home. He is making himself look good here. He still hides so much from his constiuents. And his intelligence is below average for an Police Chief.
well that was a backhanded compliment. I do trust Patton!
More thumbs down for people who denounce child innocence and protection. Makes sense. Probably the left but that’s ok. When it’s your child………the world ends. Who you calling? Better not be KPD.
Excellent work Kevin on exposing KUSD and forcing them to open the the doors for transparency. Keep up the great work. Continue holding people accountable. Ì think what you’re doing Is something Kenosha has needed for a long time. I hope you take Bad Chad to the cleaners. Him along with his flunky co-workers. Hold them all the higher standards that the community deserves. For those flying the thumbs down….I hope none of your family members get caught up In a grooming situation. I bet you’ll change your thoughts on situations like this.
Kevin, continue opening the doors and exposing people. Keep reporting and holding them accountable. You rock man.
What good is “school choice” when there’s nowhere to choose ???
Shut down KUSD. Use the RICO act if need be. Always been a criminal enterprise.
KUSD, your Kenosha County Grooming & Pedo Center Headquarters, sponsored and supported by the local Democrat Party and their Union Bedfellows.
Abolish Teacher Unions, Abolish Public Schools
KUSD protects it’s own , perverts.
100% this is Kevin Neir and that big bird of a human resource officer who protects pedos at all costs if facts hires them while under investigation for grooming…and let’s then say anything cause I’ve been to the meetings and have said this to their faces during the scandal. Then they have the balls to want 120 million from us…how about cleaning house from the top down…hell we have one on the board whoes so was convicted of sexual assault while she sat up there and defended keeping the child predator in the classroom…
KUSD and the KEA are incapable of protecting children. There is a long history of teachers and others “inappropriateness” with children, exposing genitals to children, grooming, strip searching children, and hiding abuse. The former DA was hesitant or resistant to charging also, imo.
I think Jeff Weiss should resign. He is a weak leader. This isn’t the only issue KUSD has had. Seems like he turns a blind eye when situations like Enright come up. Thank you Rep. Nedwiski, and police chief Patton for speaking up on the disastrous way KUSD handled this case! Now the parents of this child are suing KUSD and I can’t blame them! Us tax payers deserve better! Thank you Kevin for exposing what is really going on in Kenosha! Keep our officials accountable for their actions!
Great job, Kevin!!! Thank God for you and for your accurate reporting. You are not afraid to do what the loser Kenosha News ignores. I am glad to see that KUSD had to attend the state hearing. Frankly, that horrible Superintendent Weiss needs to be fired along with most of the school board and many teachers and staff. They need a housecleaning. They ignore pornography in the schools, allow in all sorts of perversion, hire pedophiles, and fail the children day after day. They are filthy, disgusting people who only care about one thing–money
With KUSD budget shortage and about to raise taxes I have one simple question KUSD will not answer-
How many millions is spent per year in just KUSD on non English speaking students? My estimation just on employees is 3 million per high school.
How can a gay/lesbian gym teacher be in the same room as the sex they’re attracted to? I always thought this was crazy. An adult male gym teacher wouldn’t watch high school girls change. Why would a lesbian or vice/versa?
Simple to weed out, their partner would be in their KUSD health insurance…. It has happened for years, and KUSD was fine with it even before gay marriage was legal, and domestic partners were in benefits.
I’ll preemptively stop the people who will say being gay doesn’t make u attracted to children. I know it does not (obviously). If that were the case then straight male gym teachers or could supervise high school girls locker rooms…..
And…. failed/shameless KUSD Administrator Jeff Weiss (D) still gets to collect a paycheck from Kenosha taxpayers. He needs to go, like yesterday!
KUSD has a history of not reporting things to authorities until the last minute. Many times there were cases of abuse that they learned about early in the school day and wanted to investigate themselves. Then an hour before the school ends they call DCFS or the police about the event. As DCFS/police investigate they are on a timeline of removing the kid from the house of giving them to parents who are outside waiting for dismissal. Then the school staff “witnesses” have dismissal duties or have to go home and don’t want to give statements to investigators. Meanwhile, if there is a sibling in another school, the investigators don’t have time to check their welfare as they are getting dismissed already. Many administrators want to keep “their business” in their school. And let me address student conduct. A kid fights in one middle school and gets suspended and has police involvement. A school like Lance will just send the kids to in school suspension and call it a day.
“The new staff–student sexual-misconduct statute did not apply once Enwright changed buildings” Since when do laws on abusing any human not count because the offender changed a building? What does this even mean? Are the youth even protected when at a public school?