Ex-Eden Prairie High School teacher accused of months of 'grooming behavior' with senior he taught

A former Eden Prairie High School teacher has been accused of grooming a female student with professions of love and improper touching in his classroom, according to charges.

Craig L. Hollenbeck, 51, of Minneapolis allegedly carried on this "inappropriate relationship" for several months in the second half of the 2020-2021 school year, according to the child endangerment complaint signed Friday by Hennepin County District Judge Patrick Robben.

Experts told investigators that Hollenbeck's "actions were child grooming, and that the grooming behavior would be likely to [cause] substantial harm to a minor's emotional and/or mental health," the gross misdemeanor complaint said.

Hollenbeck has not been arrested, and he has not yet been scheduled to appear in court. Messages were left for him Monday seeking his response to the allegations.

He was a social studies teacher at the time of his resignation Sept. 28, 2021, according to Eden Prairie Schools' Board of Education records. That's the same month police were first alerted to the suspected relationship he had with the senior.

Hollenbeck was hired as a teacher in 1998, district spokesman Dirk Tedmon said.

He quit four days after the district received a complaint about him, said Tedmon. "There were no previous complaints," the district spokesman said

"We want to assure our families, students and the Eden Prairie community that the well-being of our students is our highest priority," Tedmon said. "Any alleged misconduct by employees that is brought to our attention is immediately investigated and addressed. We have fully cooperated in the law enforcement investigation in this matter, and we will continue to do so."

According to the complaint:

Hollenbeck's relationship with the student started outside the school in February 2021 through texting, social media and face-to-face meetings, according to information from Hollenbeck's adult girlfriend that police received through a mandatory reporter, defined as someone legally required to take potentially criminal activity to law enforcement.

The student also visited Hollenbeck's otherwise empty classroom during the school day, and he would lock the door, according to the mandatory reporter.

Police obtained electronic communications between the two that revealed Hollenbeck saying it was "undeniable" that he was in love with the student, the complaint quoted him as telling her.

Other messages referenced meeting for walks, spending time in his classroom and having intimate moments together that included him touching her shoulders and back. The complaint made no mention of any touching that could have led to a sexual assault charge.