Police in West Texas have arrested 5 workers at a Christian faculty on fees that they didn't report an alleged sexual assault on a scholar throughout a baseball observe and tried to cover proof.

Police on February 16 arrested three directors and two coaches at Midland Christian Faculty on fees of failing to report abuse with intent to hide, in accordance with a press launch the Midland Police Division offered to Newsweek.

A report launched by the U.S. Training Division in 2020 discovered the variety of incidents of sexual violence in k-12 faculties elevated 55 p.c between the 2015-2016 faculty yr and 2017-2018. The variety of incidents rose from 9,649 to 14,938 throughout that point interval. Nevertheless, the report discovered that Texas was among the many lowest charges of scholars experiencing sexual assault.

The division mentioned the investigation is ongoing and no additional updates have been obtainable.

The press launch didn't establish the people arrested. However arrest affidavits obtained by KWES-TV present that faculty superintendent Jared Lee, secondary principal Dana Ellis, athletic director Gregory McClenden, assistant principal and coach Matthew Counts and baseball coach Barry Russell have been all interviewed concerning an alleged sexual assault.

Locker room
5 officers at a Christian faculty in Texas face fees for allegedly making an attempt to cowl up abuse of a scholar that occurred in a locker room. piovesempre/Getty Photos

The tv station offered further particulars of the incident that it described as hazing that occurred on the faculty's stadium in January. The unidentified sufferer, later interviewed by the Youngsters's Advocacy Heart, was within the locker room when the lights have been turned off and one other scholar informed him that it was "freshman initiation day."

The sufferer was then struck and pushed to the bottom whereas being screamed at, in accordance with KWES-TV. He tried to battle again however was informed to cease. The sufferer was then sexually assaulted utilizing a bat, experiences the tv station, citing an affidavit.

After authorities contacted Lee, he informed police he wouldn't flip over requested paperwork in regards to the incident and refused to reply questions, in accordance with KWES-TV. Lee had additionally instructed McClendon and Counts to analyze the incident, the station reported.

Police served a search warrant on the varsity on February 14, however investigators solely discovered "notes" that had been written days earlier than and confirmed no formal investigation had been underway, experiences KMID-TV. Investigators have been additionally offered faculty emails displaying that a sexual assault had occurred and directors refused to report the incident to authorities, in accordance with the station.

One unidentified juvenile has been arrested in reference to the incident, in accordance with the station. The 5 faculty officers have been launched on a $5,000 bond.

Midland Christian Faculty informed Newsweek in a press release that it was making an attempt to supply transparency whereas defending the privateness of scholars throughout these "tough circumstances."

The assertion acknowledged that 5 directors have been notified of an alleged hazing incident that resulted in self-discipline and that police had contacted the varsity concerning it.

"Our college officers have, and can proceed to, cooperate with legislation enforcement and their investigation," mentioned the assertion. "Presently, we now have certified performing directors to oversee the campus, oversee scholar actions, help college, and preserve the day-to-day operation of the varsity."