Man arrested after child's remains found in his home was Phoenix high school employee

JAMES CARR   | Arizona Republic

A Valley high school district issued a letter to parents that one of their employees was the man who was arrested this week after a child's skeletal remains were found in his home. 

Rafael Loera, 56, was arrested along with Maribel Loera, 50, after human skeletal remains were found following a fire in their west Phoenix home, according to Phoenix police. Officials had also been investigating alleged child abuse, police reported Wednesday morning.

Tolleson Union High School District spokesman Joseph Ortiz confirmed to The Arizona Republic that Rafael Loera was an employee at Sierra Linda High School in Phoenix. 

The school principal and the district superintendent sent a letter to families of students attending Sierra Linda High School on Wednesday regarding the arrest of Loera.

"Sierra Linda High School is committed to the safety and security of our students and staff. Therefore, it is imperative that we share the following information. We want to make you aware of the arrest of an employee on serious allegations that has already been shared via media outlets," the letter said. 

"The alleged crimes did not occur at Sierra Linda High School and the staff member will not return to the school. Of course, we are very troubled by this incident," the letter said. It did not share any specific additional details.

Rafael Loera was not directly named in the letter, but Ortiz confirmed it was about Loera. 

Property records show that the couple own the home near 59th Avenue and Camelback Road in Phoenix's Maryvale neighborhood where the remains were found, and that they bought it in 2010.

This is a developing story. Check azcentral.com for updates.