Lincoln Northeast High School teacher arrested after multiple students report sexual abuse

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — A Lincoln Public Schools teacher was arrested on Tuesday on four counts of sexual abuse.

Just before 3 p.m. on Dec. 2, officers with the Lincoln Police Department were sent to Northeast High School on the report of sexual abuse by a school employee.

According to LPD, multiple students reported inappropriate touching by the English Learner teacher, 62-year-old Daniel Holmberg.

LPS placed him on leave once law enforcement became involved.

Over the last two weeks, LPD’s Special Victims Unit has forensically interviewed multiple female teenage victims, all of whom speak different primary languages other than English.

During the investigation, probable cause was developed to arrest Holmberg, LPD said.

He was arrested at his home around 1 p.m. on Tuesday and taken to the Lancaster County Jail.

Students Zachary Buescher and Kaleb Poulson both surprised by Holmberg’s arrest.

“It’s crazy to see something like that was happening at our school,” said Buescher.

Poulson adding, “It’s crazy to me how I could have been walking the halls and even said hi or passed a teacher who was doing that thing to students.”

Both students saying they have a lot of respect for the teachers at Lincoln Northeast.

“They are all caring and loving and they create a safe environment in the classroom, and I personally look up to many of those people,” said Buescher.

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with additional information is asked to call SVU at 402-441-8674.

Liz Miller, Northeast High School Principal, sent a letter to families notifying them of the arrest:

Northeast families,

I have difficult information to share with you. There is a chance your child is not aware of anything happening, but we want to prepare you with information in case they come to you expressing questions or concerns.

Northeast administrators received reports of concerning behavior by a teacher towards English Learner students. We followed protocols to ensure student safety, and began investigating. We also contacted Lincoln Police for assistance. The teacher does not have access to students at this time, and we will continue to follow our protocols to ensure student safety.

On Tuesday, December 16, Lincoln Police informed Lincoln Public Schools they arrested Northeast English Learner teacher Daniel Holmberg on four counts of sexual abuse by a school worker.

We appreciate the thorough investigative work of Lincoln Police and will continue to work with law enforcement. We will continue to work with the student victims and their families, providing them with the resources they may need. If your student needs extra support, please reach out to the school so we can connect your student with counselors, social workers, school psychologists, student advocates, bilingual liaisons or an administrator.

We appreciate those who came forward with their concerns. School safety takes a community. We encourage anyone with a safety concern to contact us or Lincoln Police at (402)441-6000 immediately. You can also use the green Safe to Say button on our website or the Safe2Help Nebraska App.

We ask that everyone please honor and respect the privacy of students and staff involved and let the Lincoln Police and courts do their important work.

Liz Miller
Northeast High School Principal

Erica Buescher has been a parent at Lincoln Northeast for ten years with two children previously graduating from the school and two students enrolled now.

She says she appreciates the communication the school sends out.

“One thing I have always appreciated is that once Northeast has information, they get information out,” said Buescher.

She adds that being able to read exactly what happened is heartbreaking, and her thoughts go out to the victims and their families.

“It’s terrible what those families have to go through now, recovery and being able to figure out how to move forward. As for the teacher specifically and the repercussions of his actions, I know LPS is going to do a good job,” said Buescher.

This is a developing story. Check back with Channel 8 for updates.