An elementary school teacher facing charges of lewd and lascivious acts with a child could be hiding in Yosemite National Park after failing to appear for his court date, according to the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies say they are looking for 54-year-old Steven Carl Schapansky, who was reported missing in Fresno on Wednesday.
Schapnasky was due in a Santa Barbara County courtroom on Friday to face the two felony counts of lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14 and 70 misdemeanor counts of electronic peeping.
Schapansky is accused of recording minors undressing, including students at Santa Barbara Charter School, where he taught fifth and sixth grade. His profile on the school’s website was removed after his arrest in January.
The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office says Schapansky was last seen in Fresno on Wednesday riding a 2021 blue Honda Monkey motorcycle with a California license plate of 25H7377.
Authorities believe he was heading to Yosemite National Park.
Schapansky is described as 6 foot 2 inches and 210 pounds. He has blue eyes and blonde hair and was last seen wearing a blue polo shirt, blue shorts and white shoes.
Anyone who sees him is asked to contact the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office at 559-600-3111.