Gerald Quan also said that his wife has been “overwhelmed in a way I never thought it would be when it comes to caring for a child and being a mother.”

“The thing that is especially poignant about this is the impact it can make,” he said.

The school district’s spokesman, Tom Hockenberry, confirmed that the children had been removed but did not detail the specific incident.

When asked for more information, the district advised investigators not to contact the parents.

“This investigation is still in the early stages and remains with the police,” Hockenberry said. “We ask that you refrain from contact with those involved as we have been instructed by law enforcement to refrain from saying any kind of statements.”

Students were being placed in the child care center “where appropriate for their age and health needs,” Hockenberry said. They were placed at homes or with relatives as they progressed through their classes, he said.

The district was aware of the incident on Tuesday afternoon but had not yet made arrangements for parents to pick up their children.

The school district also is aware of the possibility that children will return as early as Thursday. It would be in the students’ best interest to return on Thursday, which is when many of them graduate from high school, said the spokesman.

Staff writer David DeBolt contributed to this report.

Contact staff writer Mark Puente at 303-954-1774 or [email protected].