Photo: CBS 12
The principal of a South Florida school and four staff members have been arrested for failing to report the suspected sexual assault of a 15-year old student.
Palm Beach Central High School Principal Darren Edgecomb, two assistant principals, a chorus teacher and a guidance counselor were all taken into custody around 10 p.m. Monday night.
Sheriff's officials say Edgecomb, his assistants Nereyda Garcia and Daniel Snider, along with choral teacher Scott Houchins and a case worker with the district's SafeSchools office, Priscilla Carter, were all made aware of a letter from a student and friend of the alleged victim, stating that she had been molested and that the friend was concerned she might hurt herself.
This was back in 2021 and according to PBSO, the alleged victim wound up attempting suicide that summer.
According to an affidavit, the alleged assailant is related to a school staff member.
By state law, all public school employees have a duty to report any suspected cases of child abuse.
Edgecomb and the others were granted bond at a court hearing on Tuesday and the Palm Beach County School District has reassigned them to positions where they will have no contact with students.
The district points out that the alleged assault happened off-campus and over a weekend.
It's not the first time Edgecomb has been involved in a controversy. He was removed from campus temporarily back in 2019 for improperly changing students' grades. But the principal cut a deal with the state Department of Education and wound up on probation for three years, starting in 2022. But part of that agreement was that he was allowed to remain as principal of Palm Beach Central.
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