NC teacher’s 911 call takes sexual predator off the streets

APEX, N.C. (WNCN) — An Apex teacher is being honored for making a 911 call after police said that one call took a predator off the streets.

In a place under 24-hour surveillance where helmets and pads are required, Jonathan Hartgrove may have gotten away with a crime at Apex Skate Park – if it wasn’t for Karen Donalson.

“I have no doubt what the man’s intentions were, and it was to prey upon, sexually, these girls,” she said.

Earlier this month, police said Hartgrove sat down on a bench with two teenage girls and started talking.

“Then he turned the conversation ever so slowly, and it got worse and worse,” Donalson said.

Jonathan Hartgrove

That’s when she called the police. Within minutes, officers were at the skate park.

“That person that was sitting on the park bench is a registered sex offender. It was illegal for him to be in the park,” Apex Police Chief John Letteney said.

But, because of the vigilance of Donalson, Hartgrove was arrested.

Letteney said Donalson “made a very positive difference in the safety of the Apex community, safety of our park, and to those girls.”

On Wednesday, the Apex Police Department honored Donalson with the “Chief’s Coin,” which is an award given to those who have done something positive for public safety.

“I was hesitant about calling,” Donalson said.

Donalson accepted the award in front of students at Green Hope High School where she is a long-term substitute. She also shared an important lesson.

“Now I know you can never hesitate when it comes to … choosing right and wrong — and not being involved is wrong,” she said.