Vancouver art teacher charged with sexual assault of nine-year-old student

Posted Apr 27, 2021

Shao Zhai Chen is accused of sexually assaulting a nine-year-old while teaching art classes at his South Vancouver home 

Shao Zhai Chen is accused of sexually assaulting a nine-year-old while teaching art classes at his South Vancouver home

Chen has been released on conditions

Police want other people who have been to his home to contact them

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – A South Vancouver art instructor has been charged with the sexual assault of his nine-year-old student and police are asking anyone else who may have taken classes from him to contact them.

Shao Zhai Chen, 50, is accused of sexually assaulting the child while teaching art classes out of his home near East 64th Avenue and Prince Edward Street on March 22, according to police. He’s charged with one count of sexual assault, one count of sexual interference, and one count of invitation to sexual touching.

“This is a very disturbing incident where a child was left under the care of an adult and that adult allegedly took advantage of her,” said Const. Tania Visintin with VPD.

Chen has been released on the condition he not to have any contact with children under the age of 16 unless their parents or another adult approved of by his bail supervisor are there.

Chen is 5’8″ tall with black and white hair, and glasses.

“Investigators are concerned there may be other children that have attended Chen’s residence and could have more information or be of assistance to this investigation,” Visintin said.