UPDATE: Trial scheduled for former Hayfield principal accused of sexually assaulting multiple children

Alex Cotter KAALTV

(ABC 6 News) – UPDATE: The former Hayfield High School principal accused of four counts of 1st-degree criminal sexual conduct and one count of 2nd-degree criminal sexual conduct in December of last year is now scheduled to stand trial on Sept. 11, 2023.

Grant Thomas Klennert pleaded not guilty to the charges of sexually assaulting children between 1998 and 2003 in Wabasha County Court Wednesday, Feb. 22.

According to court documents, a person claiming to be a victim of sexual assault reached out to law enforcement in October of this year, and recounted multiple sexual assaults, beginning when the alleged victim was in 2nd grade and Klenner was a teenager.

The assaults allegedly took place in Wabasha, MN, and continued for about 5 years.

Two additional victims spoke to Wabasha County law enforcement, confirmed the first alleged victim’s testimony, and recounted their own alleged assaults at age 7 and 13-14, respectively.

Wabasha County law enforcement issued an arrest warrant for Klennert on Dec. 13, 2022, after allegedly reaching out to Klennert about the accusations and receiving no response.

Klennert was booked into Wabasha County jail the same day, and resigned from his position at Hayfield High School on Dec. 23, 2022.

(ABC 6 News) – UPDATE: Grant Thomas Klennert was released on $100,000 bond Wednesday, Dec. 14.

The conditions of Klennert’s bond are as follows:

Post Bail or Bond with Conditions
$100,000.00 U.S. dollars
Do not leave Minnesota without written court approval
Sign Waiver of Extradition
Surrender Passport
No contact with persons under age 18
No contact with victim(s)
Make all future court appearances
Keep court/attorney informed of current address
Domestic No Contact (DANCO)
Remain law-abiding

As of Thursday, Dec. 15, Klenner’s first appearance on four criminal sexual conduct charges is scheduled for Dec. 21.

(ABC 6 News) – UPDATE: Grant Thomas Klennert was booked into the Wabasha County jail Tuesday, Dec. 13, after a warrant was issued for his arrest the same day.

Klennert faces three charges of 1st-degree criminal sexual conduct and one charge of 2nd-degree criminal sexual conduct from 1998-2003.

(ABC 6 News) – Wabasha County Court issued an arrest warrant for Hayfield High School principal Grant Thomas Klennert, after multiple sexual assault accusations came to light in October 2022.

According to court documents, Klennert, 37, is accused of three counts of 1st-degree criminal sexual conduct and one count of 2nd-degree criminal sexual conduct from 1998-2003, when Klenner would have been 13-18 years old.

Wabasha County law enforcement issued the arrest warrant Tuesday, Dec. 13, after allegedly reaching out to Klennert and receiving no response.

The assaults allegedly took place in Wabasha, MN, and continued for about 5 years.

Two additional victims spoke to Wabasha County law enforcement, confirmed the first alleged victim’s testimony, and recounted their own alleged assaults at age 7 and 13-14, respectively.

ABC 6 News does not share information from court documents that would reveal the identity of alleged sexual assault victims.
Hayfield School superintendent Gregg Slauuthaug said Klennert has been placed on administrative leave.

“The Hayfield School District is aware of the pending criminal charges regarding Grant Klennert, an employee of the School District,” Slaathaug said in a statement. ” The School District takes the safety and security of our students very seriously and has been cooperating and will continue to cooperate fully with law enforcement in its investigation. Grant Klennert is currently on administrative leave.

“This is the extent of the information the School District can provide about this matter at this time. All further data is classified as private or confidential pursuant to state and/or federal law.”